Heikkilä punctures, Paddon wins in Fafe

The very first day of the championship ERC 2023 had been promising with dramas (Armindo Araujo's violent exit), surprises (Mathieu Franceschi's times) and above all a battle between several crews for the best places. The stage having ended with reduced gaps in the top ten, everything was still very open for this Sunday around Fafe. A group of 4 ES to be run twice made up the menu for the last day with a total of 84,28 km timed.

During the morning, Mikko Heikkilä first produced the perfect performance. While the fog was still present and the roads were wet, the Finn increased his lead from 4s2 to 12s6 over Mads Ostberg. However, contact with a low wall distorted his direction, forcing him to take his foot off in the final stage (SS13). Although unhappy with his performance, the Norwegian took the opportunity to come back to just 2s9 behind the leader. While Mikko and Mads scrapped for 1^Features Instead, Hayden Paddon also decided to come and join in the fight. 3^e at 17s2 on Saturday evening, he ended the morning only 4s6 behind Heikkilä. With three competitors grouped in less than 5 seconds with 4 stages still to go, everything was very open.

Declaring himself increasingly satisfied with his mount, the New Zealander made a start of 2^e ideal loop. He got closer to Ostberg and managed to overtake the Norwegian. At the same time, he came back to 3s behind the leader, then to only 2s8 with just the Power Stage to hope to make up for this tiny delay. Giving his all in this final stretch, Paddon learned at the point-stop that his rival had been stopped to change a wheel... and that he therefore won the victory. The Kiwi is therefore starting his European campaign in the best possible way. Ostberg takes 2^e place and Georg Linnamäe the 3^e, while the hero of the weekend, Mikko Heikkilä has to settle for 8^e rank.

Solid performance from Yoann Bonato in Portugal where the Frenchman took 5th place (Red Bull Content Pool)

On the French side, Yoann Bonato proved today that he also knows how to ride fast on dirt, but that he needs to practice this type of terrain more to be able to express himself from the first meters. After a restart stage yesterday, the Isère rider was much more consistent during this 2^e stage, signing times close to the best. Also helped by some racing events, he gained a few ranks to finish 5^e. Less accustomed to this competition in which he only had one start, Mathieu Franceschi had no complexes. Surprising from the first kilometers, he lacked a little success when his Fabia suffered a heat stroke. 22^e Saturday evening, the Varois knew how to remain calm to set some very good times and rank 15^e which is very remarkable considering the board. Satisfaction also from Mathieu Margaillan who was consistent to finish 18^e.

Final classification of Rally Fafe