Initiated in 1966 with the R8 Gordini Cup, the Renault-branded cups have spanned the decades, never losing sight of their core mission: to reveal the talents of tomorrow and offer affordable, intense and fair competition. This human and motorsport adventure enters its 60th campaign thanks to a solid heritage and enduring popularity. The 2025 edition is no exception, with a highly competitive field that will battle behind the wheel of the fifth generation of Clio Cup in 18 races on a collection of Europe’s most prestigious and renowned circuits.

In addition to the Clio Cup Series, the regional España, France, Italia and Mid-Europe groups will be in action at five meetings each for ten confrontations. Like last year, drivers may be eligible for three categories: Juniors (born in 2003 and after), Gentlemen (born in 1980 and before) and Challengers (born between 1980 and 2003), subject to their track record. The return of the joker races is the most significant change this season, with the two worst results deleted before the season finale of each series!

Torelli ready to defend his title

The first non-French driver to win the Clio Cup Series, Italian Gabriele Torelli (Rangoni Corse) will proudly sport the number 1 as he defends his crown against opponents he knows well. Nicolas Milan (Milan Compétition) and David Pouget (GPA Racing) will attempt to reclaim their throne, as will 2022 Clio Cup Europe winner Anthony Jurado (Rangoni Corse). Already a Clio Cup race winner, Alexandre Finkelstein (GPA Racing) enters the Series competition for the first time, as will a new and formidable driver: Gaël Castelli (Milan Compétition). Having won several brand cups, including the Alpine Cup Series, Castelli will seek to add to his honours after his triumph in the FFSA GT French Championship.

The only driver to break the stranglehold of the Jurado-Milan-Pouget-Torelli quartet last year, Guillaume Maio (GM Sport) returns to the track where he took his maiden victory 12 months ago. Determined to be more often at the sharp end, he will also defend his Challengers title, where he will do battle with the likes of Cédric Delcroix (GPA Racing) and Alexandre Albouy (GPA Racing), crowned in this class in Spain in 2021 and in France in 2022. Milan Popovic (AST Competition) and Loïc Labeda (GM Sport) return more ambitious than ever while Daniel Nyffeler (Stucki Motorsport) and Romain Lavocat (GM Sport) make their debut on the continental scene. Other protagonists intend to shake up the hierarchy. Such is the case of Julien Baziret (Baziret Sport) on his return to Clio Cup, not to mention newcomers Axel Bengston (GPA Racing), Ben Colburn (Westbourne Motorsport), Filip Kuncer (Milan Compétition) and Yokeshwaran Krishnavelu (GPA Racing).

Damiano Puccetti (Rangoni Corse) targets a second consecutive title amongst the Juniors as well as his first overall victory. However, he will have to contend with the ambitions of Mauro Polderman (AST Competition), his counterpart in the Clio Cup Mid-Europe. Nikola Tosic (Rangoni Corse) also has lofty goals, as do Thomas Compain (Milan Compétition) and Nicolas Milan Jr (Milan Compétition). Several hopefuls worth keeping an eye on are Daire Flock (Westbourne Motorsport), Ben Jenkins (LDR Performance Tuning), Stefan Stojkov (Rangoni Corse) and Vladimir Lobachev (AST Competition), who has competed in the Clio Cup Middle East.

Gentleman Mickaël Carrée (T2CM) has his sights set on a second straight class title, but Stephan Polderman intends to reclaim the crown he won in 2022. Michel Faye (GM Sport) and Horn (GPA Racing) also have a score to settle. 2021 Clio Cup France Gentlemen champion Laurent Dziadus (Team Lucas) is keen to get back to his winning ways, while Gaël Rostant (GPA Racing), Yann Navillod (GPA Racing) and Rodrigue Dagnet (Milan Compétition) will also have their say.

Clio Cup France and Clio Cup España on the programme

With deliberately complementary calendars, drivers can enter a maximum of two groups, ensuring thrilling, strategic races punctuated by battles throughout the field.

After the Clio Cup Italia in 2022, the Clio Cup Mid-Europe in 2023 and the Clio Cup Series and Clio Cup France in 2024, Gabriele Torelli sets out in search of the last trophy he is missing: the Clio Cup España! Without the outgoing champion Damiano Puccetti, his main rival would be Nicolas Milan, who won the title on the other side of the Pyrenees in 2013, 2018, 2020, and 2021. Several competitors, including Junior Stefan Stojkov, Challengers Loïc Labeda, Milan Popovic and Yokeshwaran Krishnavelu, and Gentlemen Stephan Polderman and Gaël Rostant, will try to take advantage of this duel of titans to create a surprise.

In Clio Cup France, 2023 champion David Pouget is a strong favourite to claim the vacant throne. However, he will cross swords with one of his most formidable rivals, Anthony Jurado. Challenger Aurélien Renet (JSB Compétition) hopes he has something for the two heavyweights. Juniors Ronan Deslandes (T2CM) and Dorian Humeau (FAS Compétition) also want to make an immediate impact. The battle in the Gentlemen category promises to be breathtaking between the defending champion, Mickaël Carrée, and his rivals Michel Faye, Laurent Dziadus and Samuel Chaligne (T2CM), determined to be the champion in his own country after having conquered Spain.

Roole joins the action

While the Clio Cup Italia and Clio Cup Mid-Europe contenders have to wait for Dijon (9-11 May) and Spa-Francorchamps (30 May-1 June), respectively, to launch their campaign and know their opponents more precisely, some protagonists will be at Nogaro to gauge themselves against the competition.

This exceptional line-up will compete throughout the season for a total prize fund of more than €270,000 through an attractive prize system. The future winner of the Clio Cup Series will win a Clio Cup or a half-season in the Alpine Cup Series if he wishes to climb the GT ladder within the programme established by Alpine Racing and Groupe Signature.

These gateways are made all the more possible with Roole’s arrival to the Clio Cup Series. Already an Alpine Cup Series partner like Michelin and Sabelt, Roole is expanding its presence in competitions celebrating accessibility to the sport. Based on shared passion and values, this partnership between France’s leading automobile club and the leading single-make cup aims to promote emerging talent and strengthen both entities’ commitment to a dynamic and inclusive community.

Jonathan Tuchbant, CEO Roole: "We are proud to announce our partnership with the Clio Cup Series and Alpine Cup Series, two iconic competitions that excite motorsport enthusiasts. For Roole, it’s much more than just a partnership: the automobile is part of our DNA, and the passion surrounding these races resonates with the passion we share daily with our members. This new endeavour is part of a long-standing relationship with Renault, a brand with which we have forged strong ties over several years. By joining these two legendary competitions, we reaffirm our desire to support all aspects of the mobility industry, including motor racing."

From Saturday, the 39 drivers entered at Nogaro will hit the track for the first time before the two races held on Sunday and Monday, which will be streamed live on the Renault Clio Series Facebook page and YouTube channel.

See the complete Nogaro entry list here.

NOGARO - TIMETABLE

Saturday 19 April
8:15-8:45: Free Practice 1
13:35-14:05: Free Practice 2

Sunday 20 April
8:15-8:35: Qualifying 1
13:50-14:20: Race 1 (25 minutes + 1 lap) | Facebook | YouTube

Monday 21 April
9:00-9:20: Qualifying 2
16:10-16:40: Race 2 (25 minutes + 1 lap) | Facebook | YouTube