Antibes Rally: The Nicolas Ciamin surprise

Surprise guest this weekend on the roads of Rally from Antibes-Côte d’Azur, Nicolas Ciamin (Alpine A110-Code Racing) quickly reminded observers of the French Championship that he was comfortable behind the wheel of a GT. Author of the second fastest time in SS 1, the driver from Nice, did not do half measures subsequently by signing three consecutive scratch times ahead of the Rally2 drivers. The 2019 Touquet winner returned to the service park 9,2 seconds ahead of his pursuers. 

CIAMIN Nicolas, MARTINI Maxime, Alpine A110 © Bastien Roux / DPPI

Eric Camilli (C3 Rally2-PH Sport by Minerva Oil) set the tone from the start by setting the scratch in the Gourdon special, but the Citroën driver was subjected to the law ofAlpine piloted by Ciamin. Second after this first loop, Camilli could see himself grabbing a few seconds from the leader.

Leader of the French Championship, Yoann Bonato (C3 Rally2-CHL Sport Auto) is no longer obliged to take all the risks. Installed in provisional third place, Bonato could “manage” this position.

BONATO Yoann, BOULLOUD Benjamin, CHL SPORT AUTO, Citroën C3 © Bastien Roux / DPPI

Author of times close to those achieved by Bonato, Quentin Giordano (Polo GTi R5-Sarrazin Motorsport) was content with a provisional fourth place, in addition to his leadership in the Michelin Trophy.

GIORDANO Quentin, PARENT Kevin, Sarrazin Motorsport, Volkswagen Polo GTI © Bastien Roux / DPPI

Lacking “performance” on this first loop, Cédric Robert (Alpine A110 Rally-Bonneton HDG) completed the Top 5, around fifteen seconds behind Giordano.

In addition to its provisional first place in the Trophy Alpine Elf Rally, Julien Saunier (A110 Rally-Sébastien Loeb Racing Bardahl) occupies third place in the two-wheel drive ranking behind the Alpine of Ciamin and Robert.

In the Michelin “Hors R5” Trophy, Grégory Fontalba (A110 Rally) was in second place behind Robert with a comfortable lead over Luc Pistachi and his essential BMW 318 Ti Compact.

Among the girls, Pauline Dalmasso (208 Rally4-Pit Stop) finished this first loop in the lead, while remaining under pressure from Sarah Rumeau, also entered with a 208 Rally4.

The crews are now at service before once again completing the four morning stages from 15:18 p.m.

Ranking after SS4: