Lukyanuk impresses Fafe, Bonato on the provisional podium

After his demonstration at the Rally di Roma Capitale, Alexey Lukyanuk (Citroën C3 R5) confirms that he dominates his subject on asphalt in the European Rally Championship ERC, on roads in Fafe in Portugal that are sometimes dry, sometimes wet.

Barely disturbed by a 10″ penalty for a stolen start in SS2, a sanction ultimately canceled, the Russian pocketed six of the nine best times this Saturday and at the end of this first stage had a solid lead of 38″3 over the lead. 'Spaniard Ivan Ares, regular at the wheel of his Hyundai i20 R5 and author of the scratch in SS7.

Just four tenths behind the Iberian driver, we find the double French champion and leader of the national ranking on asphalt, Yoann Bonato (Citroën C3 R5), author of a day without a false note and installed on a podium which would offer him a very nice result on his ERC debut.

The Frenchman was also consistent, avoiding road trips unlike Emil Lindholm (Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo), quickly eliminated this morning, or mechanical problems like Oliver Solberg (Volkswagen Polo GTI R5), victim of problems engines.

In the running for the podium, Craig Breen (Hyundai i20 R5) lost the left rear wheel of his mount in SS8 after contact following passing over an area covered in oil. The Irishman was forced to retire.

Fourth in the general classification, Grégoire Munster (Hyundai i20 R5) dominates in ERC1 Junior, while Josep Bassas (Peugeot 208 Rally4) leads the way in ERC3 Junior.

The second stage will consist of three special stages to be completed three times.