In a landmark achievement for Caribbean motorsports, 19-year-old Nicolas Geleyns from Antigua has emerged as an international rallycross sensation. The young driver was formally honored at the prestigious FIA Off Road Awards ceremony in Porto, Portugal, following his remarkable third-place finish in the European Rallycross Championship.
Geleyns made history by becoming the first Antiguan competitor to reach such elite levels in international rallycross racing. His breakthrough season featured three podium appearances, demonstrating consistent performance against Europe’s top drivers.
Reflecting on his development, Geleyns stated: ‘The 2025 season represented tremendous growth for me. I’ve made significant improvements in racecraft, pressure management, and strategic decision-making. I’ve clearly identified areas needing refinement and am dedicating myself completely to addressing them.’
The rising star has undertaken an intensive winter training regimen across Europe, specializing in ice and snow driving techniques. His preparation continues with advanced sessions in Finland, renowned for its extreme winter driving conditions.
Geleyns’ 2026 campaign will focus primarily on the FIA Rallycross Championship, commencing with official FIA testing in Latvia on April 23-24. Despite acknowledging the formidable competition, he remains confident: ‘This season will undoubtedly present challenges with many exceptional drivers confirmed. However, I possess the necessary pace to compete for podium positions. My objective is to surpass last year’s performance and contend for the championship title.’
His journey represents both personal achievement and a breakthrough for Caribbean representation in global motorsports, potentially inspiring a new generation of drivers from the region.