Stage 2 – Sainz-Cruz react strongly in Andalusia

Qui a dit que Nasser Al-Attiyah et Mathieu Baumel (Toyota) allaient mener grand train jusqu’à l’arrivée de ce Rally of Andalusia 2021? Title holders, winners of the Prologue and the first stage, the leading crew (slightly) slowed down this Friday, May 15 between Arahal and Coripe.

On the longest stage of this event (381 km timed), the Toyota Hilux adorned with Qatari colors played the role of sweeper, as the French navigator explains. “The track was made of gravel and therefore very slippery, Mathieu Baumel explained to us upon arrival. We sometimes went sledding when we had to brake at intersections.

We lost 45-50'' at a junction where we turned further than the others. We also encountered a truck while crossing a quarry! »

Result of the race: 1'15'' conceded to the winners of the day, the Spaniards Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz. The double world rally champion found a smile again behind the wheel of a Mini JCW Rally 4×4. In fact, he hadn't set a scratch time with this model for... 10 years!

Despite a puncture, Yazeed Al Rajhi and Dirk Von Zitzewitz got back into the saddle with second time (+1'08''). Unfortunately, the Saudi and the German are too far behind in the general classification to be challengers n°1, the fault of a sluggish first stage (punctures).

The bivouac has already separated from the BMX X3 of Vladimir Vasilyev and Alexey Kuzmich. The Russians, outgoing champions of the Cross-Country Rally World Cup, finished their Andalusian adventure on the roof ! More fear than harm, however.

Another disappointed man, the young Seth quintero (Overdrive). The Californian did not even see the start of the special, due to broken gearbox cover on the connecting route! The first leader of the T3 category of this competition hopes to leave on Saturday, armed with a heavy time penalty.

Quintero absent, his teammates Red Bull Off-Road Junior Team took advantage, first among them newcomer Guillaume de Mévius. The Belgian, accompanied by the experienced Tom Colsoul, left Cristina Gutierrez-François Cazalet behind by around ten minutes on steeper terrain than the day before.

The beginners Mattias Ekström-Emil Bergkvist (Mini Buggy) are slowly gaining momentum. The Swedes finished the day just outside the top 10 (+14'37''), two places behind another rookie in Auto, Laia Sanz (Mini 4×4, +14'31'').

On Saturday, the competitors will approach Seville, the capital of the autonomous community, for a 311 km stage around Alcala de Guadaira.

Stage 2 ranking:

General ranking after Stage 2: