Nikolay Gryazin secures WRC2 victory at Rally Japan

Nikolay Gryazin claimed a decisive WRC2 victory at Rally Japan after fending off a persistent challenge from Diego Cachón throughout the final day. Entering the last leg with a narrow lead in his Lancia Ypsilon HF Integrale, Gryazin managed to maintain his composure as Cachón applied consistent pressure in his Toyota GR Yaris Rally2.

The battle reached a climax on the penultimate stage when Cachón narrowed the gap to just 2.8 seconds, signaling an aggressive final charge. However, the Spaniard's ambitions ended on the Wolf Power Stage when his car spun into a tree following a wheel-catch in a drainage ditch. While the vehicle sustained only cosmetic damage, the time lost relegated Cachón to second, handing Gryazin the win by an 18.3-second margin.

This victory marks a significant milestone for Gryazin, representing his first class win since his 2025 triumph at the same venue. The result elevates the Bulgarian to the lead of the 2026 WRC2 Drivers’ Championship, where he currently holds a four-point advantage over his closest rivals.