Mont-Blanc Rally – Bonato new leader, Loeb on the podium

Although there was still a risk of rain, it was under the sun that the competitors set off. Having completed the first stage only separated by a second, Quentin Giordano and Yoann Bonato resumed their duel. Author of the best time in SS9, the reigning French champion only erased 1 tenth of his delay over his opponent. Continuing at the same pace, the skier from Les Deux Alpes took command of the event for the first time at the end of SS10. Once again ahead of his rival in SS12, the CHL Sport Auto driver only increased his lead by a tenth, returning to Morzine with a 1s9 margin over Giordano.

This morning's performance is to the credit of Sébastien Loeb who despite problems with power steering (SS9) managed to settle on the third step of the provisional podium. Author of 2^e time in SS10, 4 tenths behind Bonato, the Alsatian set the best time in the final section before the regrouping park. With 4 stages remaining, the nine-time world champion is 4s7 ahead of William Wagner. The start of the day was also marked by the exits of Ludovic Gal (SS9) and Jordan Berfa (SS10) and the retirement of François Delecour following a gearbox problem.