Alpine’s one-make electric rally series reaches round three at Rallye Mont-Blanc Morzine, a year after the A290 Rallye first appeared on the event’s stages. It is the longest competitive route the championship has used so far, with 12 timed sectors covering 145.42 km (90.4 miles). The entry list is more international and includes more female competitors than ever, with German car influencer Meltem Tasan making her rally debut in the A290 Rallye VIP car.

The Alpine A290 Rally Trophy resumes next week at Rallye Mont-Blanc Morzine, a round of the French Rally Championship and the venue where the all-electric A290 Rallye made its competition debut a year ago. For the crews, round three is also a step in a longer contest: the season winner takes an official Alpine Racing programme.

An unplanned summer break

After Le Touquet and the Vosges, the series had been due to visit Rallye Rouergue Rodez Aveyron Occitanie. That round was cancelled, which brought the summer break forward and left the championship arriving in Morzine at what is now the halfway point of the season.

The title picture

Melvin Rabilloud and Enzo Mahinc (Fun Meca Sport / Alpine Store Annecy) have led the standings since winning at Le Touquet, but their run of dominance was ended in the Vosges by Aymeric Lenoir and Florian Hosson (FK Express / Alpine Store Calais). Lenoir arrives in the Alps with a new co-driver, Sophie Lallement, hoping to repeat that result and squeeze the defending champions.

Between the two crews that have shared every stage win this year sit Denis Ridel and Gaëtan Debec (RDL Développement), who have taken two podiums. Ridel leads the Alpine A290 Regional Trophy and comes to Mont-Blanc as a newcomer to the event.

Pascal Janel and Jean-Pascal Berger (BTEC Team Race School Consulting) have improved steadily, from seventh in 2025 to sixth and fifth so far this year. Philippe Janvier and Julie Derory (David Auto Compétition / Alpine Store Clermont-Ferrand) are among the most experienced crews in the service park, while Benoît Mouquet, back up to third in the Regional Trophy, is reunited with co-driver Pierre Hermant. Sandro Negre (FK Express / Alpine Guadeloupe), fifth in the series’ inaugural season, makes his first start of the year alongside Gilles Gaussens.

A more international, more female field

Emma Chalvin and Amandine Borderie (Rageau Sport Location / Alpine Store Mantes-Le-Vexin) retired late in the Vosges and want a top-five result on roads they know well, which would also restore their advantage over the Turkish pairing of Nazan Zorlu and Ozhan Ciplak (Chazel Technologie Course / Alpine Store Nîmes).

The A290 Rallye VIP entry, used in the Vosges by Julien Ingrassia and Emma Bonnemort, goes this time to Meltem Tasan. The German sports car entrepreneur and influencer is making her rally debut and will document the weekend for her audience. She is partnered by Hervé Faucher, who sat alongside Tom Pellerey in Alpine Racing’s official World Rally Championship programme last year. The car is not eligible for points or bonuses.

The longest route yet

The itinerary runs to 12 timed sectors and 145.42 km (90.4 miles), the most competitive distance the series has covered at a single event. Friday brings three loops of La Côte d’Arbroz – Essert-Romand – Taninges (14.48 km / 9.0 miles) and Samoëns – Morzine (14.95 km / 9.3 miles). Saturday repeats La Vernaz – Vailly (7.19 km / 4.5 miles) and Lullin – Orcier (10.15 km / 6.3 miles) three times each.

On Saturday’s stages, the three fastest drivers on each test can collect up to three ‘Performer’ points on top of the points awarded at the finish.

What the teams get

Alpine supplies a support package covering technical assistance, sustainable charging and spare parts, and Alpine Racing oversees scrutineering and the allocation of Michelin tyres. Across the season the field is competing for a share of €236,000 in prize money and awards, plus the official Alpine Racing drive for the champion.

The rally is the third of the 2026 Alpine A290 Rally Trophy season and takes place in Morzine, in the French Alps.

Facts: Alpine A290 Rally Trophy at Rallye Mont-Blanc Morzine

  • Round: three of the 2026 season
  • Special stages: 12 timed sectors
  • Competitive distance: 145.42 km (90.4 miles)
  • Friday stages: La Côte d’Arbroz – Essert-Romand – Taninges (14.48 km) and Samoëns – Morzine (14.95 km), three loops
  • Saturday stages: La Vernaz – Vailly (7.19 km) and Lullin – Orcier (10.15 km), three runs each
  • Bonus: up to three ‘Performer’ points per Saturday stage for the three fastest drivers
  • Season prize fund: €236,000 in prize money and awards
  • Main prize: an official Alpine Racing programme for the winner
  • Entries: 10 crews, including the non-scoring A290 Rallye VIP car

Source: media.alpinecars.com