ERC
The Italians take the lead in Rome
Andrea Crugnola leads the way in Italy after the first loop on Saturday. © DPPI/A. Guillaumot
The Rally di Roma Capitale got underway on Friday evening with a short special in Rome. Over the 2,72 km of this SS0 around the Caracalla thermal baths Andrea Crugnola (i20) took the lead ahead of his compatriot Giandomenico Basso (Fabia). The candidates of theERC next came Andreas Mikkelsen (Fabia), Nil Solans (Fabia) and Nikolay Gryazin (Polo). Unhappy with his suspensions Alexey Lukyanuk (C3) was only 12e and Yoann Bonato (C3) 13e.
The first stage continued this Saturday morning with three stages near Fiuggi south of Rome. By setting a new best time, Crugnola confirmed his ambitions, but he will have to get rid of Basso, winner of 2 times. The two men are only separated by 2″5.
Having found a smile again, Lukyanuk went up 3e 11″8 behind the leader. The morning was fatal for Gryazin who lost more than 2 minutes due to a puncture (SS1) and Solans (exit, SS2). Happy with his performances, Bonato is 9e less than 8 seconds from 4e rank.
Top 10 overall after the first loop of the day
In the French camp, Manu Guigou has fallen back after an excellent start in RGT. Still in 2-wheel drive, Jean-Baptiste Franceschi started the strongest in ERC3 then was taken over by Florian Bernardi. Three 29,89 km timed specials are still to be run before this 1st stage ends.
Loïc ROCCI
Journalist specializing in rallying past, present and future... and with a southern accent
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