Bonato sets the rhythm of the Heart of France

Yoann Bonato (Citroën C3 R5) is well established at the head of the 21st Rally Coeur de France au terme de la première étape. Le pensionnaire du Team CHL Sport Auto a notamment profité des abandons de ses rivaux Bryan Bouffier (Hyundai i20 R5) et Quentin Gilbert (Skoda Fabia R5) victimes de sorties de route, le pilote du Team 2C Compétition étant parti à la faute après le passage de la cellule. Jean-Charles Beaubelique (DS 3 WRC) is also part of the dropout list.

It is therefore Pierre Roché (Skoda), leader of the Michelin Trophy, who is the leader's closest rival even if the Team FJ driver is almost a minute behind at the end of the first 7 special stages. The provisional podium is completed by Quentin Giordano (Hyundai) who lost time in the first pass after trying to fine-tune the settings of his car.

Nicolas Ciamin (Fiat Abarth 124 Rally) is in a promising 5th place, leading the GT+ category with a little more than a second behind Éric Mauffrey's Skoda.

In 14th position in the general classification, Mathieu Franceschi (Ford Fiesta R2) is at the top of the French Junior Championship standings with a good lead over Victor Cartier.

As for the Clio R3T Trophy France, it's Mathieu Walter who leads ahead of Guillaume Jean and Olivier Delaporte after taking advantage of Thibaut Poizot's retirement due to a broken gearbox.