Alexey Lukyanuk wins ahead of Yoann Bonato at the Fafe Montelongo Rally

Strong leader of Rally of Fafe Montelongo in Portugal before the final loop of three specials this Sunday afternoon, Alexey Lukyanuk brought a wave of fear to the Saintéloc Racing clan.

Spin off in SS17, the penultimate sector of the event counting towards the European Rally Championship ERC, the Russian lost almost his entire lead overall, going from 23″3 to 3″8 over Frenchman Yoann Bonato (Citroën C3 R5).

An alert of no consequence, however, since Lukyanuk ultimately retained the advantage at the end of the final timed sector, winning in the end with a margin of 4″6 over Bonato, who remained in second position on the podium for just a tenth face to the Spaniard Ivan Ares (Hyundai i20 R5), his rival for second place during a large part of the event.

Bonato, winner last week of the Rallye Coeur de France in the French Asphalt Rally Championship, thus offers himself his first podium on his ERC debut. A great reward for the Deux Alpes pilot.

The top 5 is completed by Grégoire Munster (Hyundai i20 R5), winner in ERC1 Junior, and Miko Marczyk (Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo). Josep Bassas (Peugeot 208 Rally4) wins in ERC3 Junior.

Lukyanuk took the opportunity to increase his lead at the top of the championship, notably after the mechanical problems of Oliver Solberg (Volkswagen Polo GTI R5) yesterday.

Discover the report of the Fafe Montelongo Rally, in issue 2281 of AUTOhebdo, available tomorrow evening in digital version and this Wednesday on newsstands.