Bouffier wins the Monte-Carlo

Bryan Bouffier, by equipping himself with tires adapted to the snow, had a hollow nose Thursday midday. The Drômois, in SS7 and SS8, took the advantage over all his rivals thanks to this crucial choice. Even two spins in SS8 changed nothing, the recent French Champion ensuring a sufficient gap before heading into this final day of racing. rally.

On the dry asphalt, Bryan Bouffier did not set the best times but ensured the essentials, while avoiding making a qualifying mistake. The Frenchman was able to secure his end of the race while maintaining sufficient pace to preserve his lead. In the end, the Champion of France achieved a prestigious success, less than two months after being titled Champion of France.

?It?s fantastic, I?m so happy for the team and for Peugeot , he confided upon his arrival from SS13. I had a lot of pressure being in the lead as the finish approached but I had to hold on and get to the goal. For a driver, Monte Carlo is incredible, with changing conditions, fantastic roads. It's an extraordinary feeling to win this event. »

Behind, the 2011 podium resembles that of 2009. Two years ago, Peugeot had a hat-trick thanks to Sébastien Ogier, Freddy Loix and Stéphane Sarrazin. Freddy Loix is ​​second again this year but on behalf of Skoda. The Belgian didn't have much to hope for from this day but was able to show all his speed throughout the special stages.

Third in 2009, Stéphane Sarrazin (Peugeot 207 S2000) is third again this year. The Cévenol was unable to glimpse victory but was able to come from behind to get this podium. Fifth before SS12, he fell behind Guy Wilks (Peugeot 207 S2000) and François Delecour (Peugeot 207 S2000) in a single special. Without a gearbox problem, he could even have aimed for second place. (edit: Stéphane Sarrazin having been penalized by 30 seconds at the end of the rally, he slipped to fourth place. It was therefore Guy Wilks who finished in third place).

Behind Guy Wilks, François Delecour takes fifth position for his return to the big leagues. The Northerner, who made the right tire choices on Thursday, however suffered from the comparison with his rivals on dry asphalt. But this outing could give other ideas to the winner of Monte-Carlo 1994.

Juho Hänninen (Skoda Fabia S2000), long leader of the event, finished sixth. The Finn pays for his poor tire choice before Thursday's snowy stages. “It’s the rally!” There are good things and not so good things. But we are looking to the future and will be able to show ourselves stronger,” he commented.