Antibes: Bonato takes the lead

At the end of a first stage which saw five drivers set a better time, on the six scheduled special stages, Yoann Bonato and Benjamin Boulloud returned to Antibes as leaders.

Published on 19/05/2023 à 19:47

⁰ View comments)

Leader of the French Championship after his victory at “Charbo”, Yoann Bonato (C3 Rally2-CHL Sport Auto) took the lead of the Antibes Côte d'Azur after having finished the last special of this first stage.

The 2 Alpes driver took advantage of his consistency during the six special stages of this first day to dislodge Hugo Margaillan (C3 Rally2-CHL Sport Auto) from first place. “It was really a difficult day in very complicated conditions. We’ll say that we’re not doing too badly”, whispered Bonato at the arrival of SS 6.

Incisor at the beginning of rally with two scratches, Margaillan could not resist the return of his teammate to CHL Sport Auto. But with only 1,3 seconds behind, the Citroën driver knows that victory is within his reach.

Hugo Margaillan – Photo Grégory Lenormand / DPPI

Author of the best time in SS 5, Eric Camilli consolidated his place on the provisional podium, but he will have to be wary of Raphaël Astier (A110 Rally-CHL Sport Auto), 3 seconds behind the Niçois after having signed the scratch in the final special of the day.

Eric Camilli – Photo Bastien Roux / DPPI

Faster in SS4, Cédric Robert (A110 Rally-Team Bonneton HDG) completed the Top 5 of this first stage.

In the match for the podium, Nicolas Ciamin (Polo GTI R5-Sarrazin Motorsport) had to deal with a shock absorber problem at the start of the stage then a poor choice of tires during the second loop. The winner of Le Touquet finished this first day in seventh place behind Léo Rossel (C3 Rally2-PH Sport by Minerva Oil).

In terms of promotional formulas

Eric Camilli, Raphaël Astier and Cédric Robert formed the leading trio in the Michelin Premium Trophy.

The two-wheel drive Championship was once again the scene of the duel between Raphaël Astier and Cédric Robert with the advantage going to the former.

Raphael Astier – Photo Grégory Lenormand / DPPI

In the overall Top 10 at the wheel of the new Clio Rally3, Tom Pieri had a comfortable lead in the Michelin Amateur Trophy.

Tom Pieri – Photo Grégory Lenormand / DPPI

Back in the Championship, the pair Pierre Roché and Martine Roché (A110 Rally-Team FJ) occupied the lead in the Trophy Alpine Elf Rallye while Valentin Ascenzi (Clio Rally5) was more than 40 seconds ahead of Benjamin Barnouin (Clio Rally5) in the Clio Trophy France.