Nicosia:Qatar's Nasser Al-Attiyah secured his 21st Middle East Rally Championship title and achieved a record-extending 10th Cyprus Rally victory. Al-Attiyah triumphed over Cypriot driver Simos Galatariotis by a narrow margin of 4.63 seconds in a thrilling conclusion to the 52nd edition of the event.

According to Cyprus News Agency, the margin of victory was the second smallest in the rally's history, surpassed only by Galatariotis' 0.7-second win over Magalhaes in 2018.

Al-Attiyah made a strategic decision in the final special stage by driving without a spare tyre, which allowed him to finish 8.7 seconds faster than Galatariotis. This podium finish marked Galatariotis' third, his first since winning in 2018. The Cyprus Rally concluded the 2026 FIA Middle East Rally Championship as its fifth and final round.

Michalis Poseidias, along with co-driver Pambos Laos, achieved third place overall in a Renault Clio, securing the Rally3 category and Poseidias' first podium finish in the Cyprus Rally. Last year's champions, Giangos Giagkou and Nicolaos Nicolaou, finished fourth due to issues during the afternoon stages.

Turkish Cypriot drivers Sukuroglu and Topcuoslu finished fifth in a Volkswagen Polo, with Zenonos and Christofi following in a Ford Fiesta. Al-Attiyah and co-driver Carrera claimed victories in six special stages, while Galatariotis and Ioannou won four. One stage was canceled on Sunday because spectators did not adhere to safety instructions.

In the local event, Kokias and Constantinou emerged victorious in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, with Chappelis and Chrysanthou in a Subaru Impreza taking second, and Christodoulou and Nestoras finishing third in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII.