Antibes: Bonato doubles the bet

After their victory at the “Charbo” last April then in the Canaries at the beginning of May, Yoann Bonato and Benjamin Boulloud won for the second consecutive time on the Côte d'Azur after a perfectly managed rally.

Published on 20/05/2023 à 16:42

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Author of a big first loop this Saturday morning, Yoann Bonato (C3 Rally2-CHL Sport Auto) attacked the final stages with a margin of more than 19 seconds. On still wet roads, Bonato combined attack and management in order to preserve his advantage, while finding the right compromise in the choice of tires.
This second success in a row in the French Championship allows the Bonato-Boulloud duo to increase their lead in the provisional ranking of the Championship.

Hugo Margaillan – Photo Bastien Roux / DPPI

First leader of rally, Hugo Margaillan (C3 Rally2-CHL Sport Auto) confirmed a little more that he was able to fight for victory. The CHL Sport Auto resident could not contain the attacks of Bonato during the second stage, but Margaillan maintained a good pace to sign another second place after that won at the “Charbo”.

Eric Camilli – Photo Bastien Roux / DPPI

Eric Camilli (C3 Rally2-PH Sport by Minerva Oil) scored valuable points on “his” roads with a new podium after the one won in the Rhône a few weeks ago. Camilli immediately won his second victory in a row in the Michelin Premium Trophy.

Nicolas Ciamin – Photo Grégory Lenormand / DPPI

After a tricky first stage, Nicolas Ciamin (Polo GTI R5-Sarrazin Motorsport) returned to the foot of the podium ahead of Raphaël Astier (A110 Rally-CHL Sport Auto), also winner in the two-wheel drive classification.

Eighth behind Léo Rossel (C3 Rally2-PH Sport by Minerva Oil) and William Wagner (Polo GTI R5-Sarrazin Motorsport), Cédric Robert (A110 Rally-Team Bonneton HDG) undoubtedly paid for a poor choice of tires at the start of the second stage.

Winning returns

Pierre Roché – Photo Grégory Lenormand / DPPI

Pierre Roché (A110 Rally-Team FJ) did not miss his return to the French Championship at the wheel of a Alpine that he continues to discover. The former leader of the Rally2 category in recent years won the Trophy Alpine Elf Rallye ahead of two strong opponents: Jean-François Mourgues (A110 Rally-Team Bonneton HDG) and Vincent Leduc (A110 Rally-CHL Sport Auto).

Romain di Fante – Photo Grégory Lenormand / DPPI

Engaged with a Clio S1600, always popular with the public, Romain di Fante finished just outside the Top 10 with victories in the Michelin Amateur Trophy and the GT2i Trophy.

Benjamin Barnouin (Clio Rally5) made no mistake to claim his first victory in the promotion formula in the Clio Trophy France Asphalte. Benjamin Stirling (Clio Rally5) took advantage of the last special to take second place ahead of Arthur Pelamourgues (Clio Rally5).

Allison Viano (Clio Rally4) won the women's classification after getting the better of Manon Massarotto (Clio Rally5) during the last loop.

The drivers now have a little less than one less to prepare for a rally with a completely different profile with the Vosges-Grand Est on June 17 and 18.