History 2000s

2001 Cyprus Rally (Cyprus)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2001 Cyprus Rally (Cyprus)

Date: June 1-3, 2001

Start Location: Limassol, Cyprus

Finish Location: Limassol, Cyprus

Total Distance: ~1,000 km (estimated full route)

Competitive Stages: ~322 km

Surface: Gravel

The 2001 Cyprus Rally delivered blistering heat, rocky mountain roads, and one of the season’s most unexpected results. Jesús Puras handled the brutal conditions with surgical control and speed, claiming his maiden WRC win and giving Citroën their first World Rally Championship victory — a significant milestone ahead of their full-time entry in 2003.

Route

Foini: Narrow, technical, and rough — demanded tire preservation and sharp reflexes in the dust.
Lagoudera: A relentless climb with ruts, rocks, and tight blind bends that punished overdriving.
Koilani: A mix of open mountain tracks and tight, shaded sections that fluctuated in grip and visibility.

Centered around the Troodos Mountains, the stages were slow, tight, and extremely punishing on both cars and drivers. Key stages included:

Despite mild dust, conditions were dry and brutal, with cockpit temperatures often exceeding 50°C — making endurance and car preservation the keys to survival.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Jesús Puras & Marc Martí · Citroën Xsara WRC
2nd Place
Colin McRae & Nicky Grist · Ford Focus WRC
3rd Place
Carlos Sainz & Luis Moya · Ford Focus WRC

Puras led from early on and kept a clean, steady pace through the rock-strewn stages. McRae and Sainz were fast but played conservatively to secure manufacturer points, while others faltered under the intense mechanical strain.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Technical Endurance: Cyprus’s low average speeds and punishing terrain required maximum concentration and finesse — one mistake could break the car or the rhythm.
  • Dust & Heat: Visibility and temperature were critical factors — cockpit cooling and tire temperature control separated contenders from DNFs.
  • Pacing the Event: Puras showed perfect balance — never overextending and preserving the Xsara for the final day push.

Jesús Puras’s Cyprus triumph was one of the most memorable breakthroughs of the 2001 season — a dramatic debut win for both driver and manufacturer, proving Citroën was ready to fight at the highest level of the sport.

← Previous Event 2001 Rallye Sanremo – Rallye d’Italia (Italy)
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