Tour Auto: third day between Alsace, Beaujolais and Auvergne

The third day of Auto Tour 2025 offered the competitors an experience as demanding as it was unforgettable. In the early morning, the crews left Mulhouse under mild skies to set off on the Alsatian roads, heading southwest, with a packed program combining road specials and circuit passages. The day's route took the participants through spectacular landscapes, from the Vosges forests to the hills of Beaujolais, to the volcanic lands of Auvergne, with a finish at the end of the day in Clermont-Ferrand.

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The Alloz: a start to the heart of the matter

From the first kilometers, the tone was set with a particularly winding special stage in the heart of the Vosges mountains. Named "Les Alloz", this event put the drivers' nerves to the test with its technical sequences, steep descents and narrow roads lined with fir trees. In this almost hushed atmosphere, theAlpine A110 1600 S (#74) of François Nicoules and Antoine Grouillard Stefenel distinguished itself in Regularity, handling finesse and precision in the smallest turns. In Competition category, the Ferrari 308 Gr.IV Michelotto (#264) of Jérémy Mennechet and Laurent Loubet showed his power and balance, offering a demonstration of mastery from this first event.

@ Nicolas Brémaud / unairdejavu

Bresse: the rigor of the circuit

After a more rolling section through Franche-Comté, the competitors reached the Bresse circuit, located in the Ain department. This modern and flowing track, often used for private tests or GT events, is characterized by its alternation between large, fast curves and more technical sections. The competition was fierce, but once again, Mennechet and Loubet were able to hold their own. Their Ferrari literally devoured the asphalt, demonstrating a perfect symbiosis between car and drivers. They claimed another victory in the Competition category, consolidating their lead in the overall standings.

The Mâconnais: between vines and strategy

Then it's off to the hilly roads of the Mâconnais for another road test in the early afternoon. The scenery changes radically: here, the vineyards curve harmoniously along the hillside, but the roads themselves are unforgiving. Driving lines must be precise and grip managed with constant attention. This terrain favored Hernan Dietrich and Gabriel Mocciola, who won in Regularity aboard their Porsche 911 2,2L S (#38), demonstrating that finesse can trump raw power. For the leaders of the Competition, Mennechet and Loubet, there was no question of letting up the pressure: they secured their third consecutive victory today.

Beaujolais: last battle before Auvergne

The final special stage of the day took place in the steep and picturesque Beaujolais region. A playground as magnificent as it was tricky, with its tight bends, blind turns, and postcard-perfect panoramas. In this environment, every wrong turn could prove costly. But once again, the #264 Ferrari dominated the proceedings. Mennechet and Loubet, in a state of grace, claimed their fourth victory of the day, confirming their status as favorites for the overall victory.

@Nicolas Brémaud / @unairdejavu

Clermont-Ferrand in the line of fire

Late in the afternoon, the competitors finally reached Clermont-Ferrand, the regional capital of Auvergne, nestled at the foot of the volcanoes. After more than 400 kilometers of road and intense effort, both the mechanics and the crews deserved a little respite. But this rest will be short-lived. Starting tomorrow, a new stage awaits the participants, probably one of the most dreaded of this edition: three special stages are on the program, including a highly anticipated visit to the legendary Charade circuit, a true jewel of French automotive heritage.

Nothing is decided yet, but one thing is certain: this 3rd day of the Tour Auto will have been decisive in asserting the balance, revealing talents... and perhaps already outlining the contours of the final podium.

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