Antibes Rally – Bonato untouchable!

The smile of Yoann Bonato (C3 Rally2-CHL Sport Auto) at the finish of the first stage of the rally d’Antibes en disait long sur les sensations du quadruple Champion de France. En effet, pour la première fois de la saison, le pilote des 2 Alpes voyait l’arrivée de la première étape d’une manche du Championnat de France des Rallyes 2022. Outre ce retour au sommet du classement, Bonato enchaînait cinq temps scratchs consécutifs, de quoi atteindre le moral de ses rivaux ! Nanti d’une avance de 29,9 secondes sur Nicolas Ciamin (i20 N Rally2-Hyundai 2C Compétition), son principal poursuivant, Bonato peut aborder sereinement la deuxième étape.

Second this evening, Nicolas Ciamin would undoubtedly have hoped for better in a rally that he won in October. After a poor choice of tires during the first loop, the Niçois admitted “gardening despite all the team’s efforts”. Second this evening, Ciamin is thinking about the Championship and is keen to score big points at the finish of the Antibes rally on Sunday afternoon.

CIAMIN Nicolas, ROCHE Yannick © Bastien Roux / DPPI

First leader of the rally after his scratch in SS 1, Quentin Giordano (Polo GTI R5-Sarrazin Motorsport) lost precious seconds in SS 3. Author of a good comeback during the second, he took advantage of the Super Special contested on the Antibes seafront to come back 18,2 seconds behind Ciamin. With newfound confidence, Giordano did not hide his desire to take advantage of the last Sunday stage to try to take second place from Nicolas Ciamin.

GIORDANO Quentin, PARENT Kevin © Gregory Lenormand / DPPI

Powered to the wheel of the CHL Sport Auto team's C3 Rally2 after his title in 208 Rally Cup 2021, Hugo Margaillan is starting to make his mark behind the wheel of the Citroën. He was in provisional fourth place after setting the 2nd and 3rd times in the last two special stages of the day.

Plagued by various tire or ABS problems, Cédric Robert (Team Bonneton HDG) and Julien Saunier (CHL Sport Auto) could hope for better than a fifth and sixth place respectively. The first city nevertheless consoled itself with the orders in the two-wheel drive classification.

In the Michelin Amateur Trophy, Ludovic Godard (Clio 3 RS) avoided the many pitfalls on the road to take the lead ahead of Sarah Rumeau (Corsa Rally4-Cilti Sport). In the Premium ranking, Quentin Giordano led the way ahead of Cédric Robert.

It was a long day for the Trophy players Alpine Elf Rally. Of the five starters at the start of this round, only Yoann Lambert (A110 Rally) was able to get on the podium at the end of the first stage. The other competitors were forced to hand in their logbooks.

As for the Clio Trophy France, Tom Pieri (Clio Rally5) and Thomas Chauffray (Clio Rally5) went blow for blow throughout this first stage. Pieri finally had the last word, taking advantage of the Super Special to end the day in the lead, just 0,4 seconds ahead of Chauffray. Third, in ambush, 10 seconds behind, Styve Juif is ready to take advantage of the slightest misstep from the leaders.

PIERI Tom, BORDERIE Amandine © Bastien Roux / DPPI

With 102,56 kilometers to be covered in eight special stages with a first departure scheduled at 7:46 a.m. near Saint-Laurent-du-Var, the last stage will not be easy for the survivors of the 57th edition of the Antibes-Côte d Rally. 'Azure.

General classification after the first stage © FFSA :

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