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World RX – Kristoffersson takes the lead at Spa, Grönholm in the tough

The Swede finished the first day of the Belgian meeting in first place while the Finn was already forced to come back.

Published on 09/10/2021 à 17:47

Gonzalo Forbes

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World RX – Kristoffersson takes the lead at Spa, Grönholm in the tough

Johan Kristoffersson leads in Belgium after the first day. ©Red Bull Content Pool

The return of World RX to Spa-Francorchamps was highly anticipated and it did not disappoint. For the first two qualifying rounds of the weekend, the spectacle was there with some lucky drivers and some unlucky ones.

On the lucky side, there is Johan Kristoffersson. Winner of the last round contested in Riga (Latvia) last September, the Swede continues at the excellent pace that has been his since the start of the season. Big favorite for victory in the Ardennes slide, the three-time world champion showed off his talent this Saturday.

Second in Q1, Johan Kristoffersson escaped the pile-up at the start of his race in Q2 to win his heat ahead of Kevin Hansen. In the general classification, the Scandinavian carried out the perfect operation since he took advantage of Timmy Hansen's 5th place in Q1 to take the lead ahead of his compatriot this Saturday evening. Although he somehow finished Q2 after contact at the first corner, Kevin Abbring completed the Top 3 of the day.

The big loser is Niclas Grönholm. Only 8th at the end of Q1, the Finn saw his Q2 stop on the first braking after being hit and sent into the wall by Timmy Hansen. After these first two qualifying rounds, he is only 11th and forced to pull out all the stops on Sunday to hope to have a good position in the semi-final.

In Euro RX, the French were not spared from the incidents. Tenth after Q1, Andréa Dubourg was forced to retire after a double collision when the lights went out in Q2. Leader of the championship, Fabien Pailler also did not escape it. Sixth before Q2, the Breton was involved in the same race as the younger Dubourg, thus complicating his hunt for the crown. At the end of the day, the two men are outside the Top 5 dominated by Andreas Bakkerud ahead of Marcin Gagacki and Jonathan Pailler.

Gonzalo Forbes

In charge of promotion formulas (F2, F3, FRECA, F4...). Carried by the grace of Franco Colapinto.

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