Bryan Bouffier strong leader at Rallye Vosges-Grand Est

Bryan Bouffier (Hyundai i20 R5) points at the head of the Rally Vosges-Grand Est on the evening of the first stage contested this Saturday in weather conditions which deteriorated throughout the day.

On the first three specials, the former winner of the Monte-Carlo Rally had a smooth start to the race, signing two scratches out of three possible, falling two tenths behind his rival Yoann Bonato (Citroën C3 R5) in SS3 at Moyenmoutier .

It is then the rain which will upset the hierarchy from SS4, where Bonato, better fitted than Bouffier in terms of tires, takes the advantage on the second pass in Boslimpre. But the mechanics will play tricks on Bonato in the next sector, causing him to initially lose contact (18″4 conceded), before abandoning in the following special.

We have to retire after SS5 following a mechanical problem. We had just regained the lead in SS4 and what's more, for once, we had the right choice of tires! It's sports. We will come back stronger! #CFR #VosgesGrandEst #CHLSportAuto #IGOL # Michelin pic.twitter.com/ePH4UkXU1p

— yoann bonato (@yoannbonato) 9th June 2018

From then on, Bonato only has to perform in tricky conditions in SS6, then in SS7 to count 47″1 ahead of Quentin Giordano (Hyundai i20 R5) this evening. Jérémi Ancian places his Ford Fiesta R5 in third place at 54″, while Quentin Gilbert (Skoda Fabia R5), leader in the Michelin Trophy, and William Wagner (Ford Fiesta R5) complete the top 5 at 1'14″8 and 1' 38″4.

Yohan Rossel is the strongest at the end of this day in 208 Rally Cup, Adrian Fourmaux leading the French Junior Championship.

Ranking Rallye Vosges-Grand Est after Stage 1