Bjorn Syx has firmly established himself as a dominant force at the 53rd Bernard Degroote Monteberg Rally. Competing in his Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, the Poperinge local clinched victory with 10 stage wins out of the 11 available, reinforcing his reputation as one of Belgium’s most promising rally talents. His performance from the outset left little room for doubt about his superiority on the demanding stages this rally presented.
Only once did Syx falter, and that was during the ninth stage, the Mesen-Wijtschate, where an overzealous approach saw him lose critical seconds. A late arrival at the start cost him 10 seconds, followed by another slip in which he braked just a fraction too late, costing him an additional 10 seconds. Despite this minor hiccup, the overall narrative of the rally was one of triumph and mastery, culminating in a 21-second victory over his nearest competitor, Niels Reynvoet.
Reynvoet, piloting a Hyundai i20 N Rally2, took second place after a tumultuous start to his race. “The beginning of the rally was disastrous,” he admitted. Suffering from a less-than-ideal set-up, he and his team struggled through the initial stages. However, as the rally progressed and adjustments were made to soften the car, Reynvoet began to find rhythm. His newfound pace allowed him to close the gap behind Syx, particularly in the final phases, yet the distance to first place proved insurmountable.
Davy Vanneste rounded out the podium, finishing third in a Citroën C3 Rally2. Although he felt a sense of disappointment at not being able to match the blistering times set by Syx and the formidable pace of Reynvoet in the latter half, Vanneste recognised the importance of team cohesion. “Today we could not match Bjorn’s times, and Niels was too strong in the final phase. For our team, it was significant to run this Citroën C3 Rally2 together again. The car felt good straight away, and we will need to improve some details ahead of Ypres,” he reflected with an optimistic laugh.
The day also featured commendable performances from other competitors. Jim Van den Heuvel piloted his Citroën C3 Rally2, a former car of winner Syx, to a remarkable fourth place despite his initial lack of stage knowledge, demonstrating the adaptability and skill of the driver. Kurt Boone entered the spotlight with a surprising fifth-place finish in his Mitsubishi Lancer, delivering a flawless rally that showcased his quick learning and execution.
In sixth place, Junior champion Jonas Dewilde made his top-class debut with the Citroën C3 Rally2, gaining invaluable experience alongside his new navigator Niels Pierpont. Their utterly smooth drive laid a solid foundation for the upcoming Sezoensrally, proving that development is well underway.
An unexpected highlight was Christophe Merlevede, who placed seventh overall in his Renault Clio Rally3 while grappling with turbo issues. His endeavour to place himself among the Rally2 competitors served as a testament to his determination and skill. Richard Pex followed closely in eighth, maintaining competitive momentum, with local driver Steve Becaert securing ninth in a compelling battle among the Mitsubishi drivers.
The spirited contest extended to the BMW ranks, where Cedriek Merlevede faced off against Gilles Pyck in a captivating duel. The two drivers, both in BMW M3 E36 models fabricated by MATS Van den Brand, provided spectators with thrilling moments. In a nail-biting finish, it was Cedriek who clinched victory by a razor-thin margin of just 0.8 seconds.
In the Historic category, the supremacy of Paul Lietaer was unmistakable. His powerful 280 hp Ford Escort RS 1800 allowed him to outperform several formidable BMWs while also outpacing the Mitsubishi Gr.A of Hein Jonkers. Lietaer’s performance reinforces his legacy within the domain of historic rallying, further accentuating the diversity and depth present at the Monteberg Rally.
Completing the field, Manuel Merlevede, the third of the Merlevede clan, finished 13th overall and stood as the fastest among the Rally4 runners, showcasing the prowess of his family’s talent in the sport.
As the rally concluded, it was evident that the stage was set for an exciting season ahead, with drivers reflecting on their performances and looking forward to what awaits them at the Ardeca Ypres Rally.
