Critérium des Cévennes – Bonato leader, Giordano almost 20 seconds behind

At the head of the French Championship, Yoann Bonato (C3 Rally2-CHL Sport Auto) is in a favorable position to win a fourth title. Author of two scratch times in SS 2 and 3, the 2 Alpes driver returned to the Saint-Hippolyte du Fort regrouping park at the top of the provisional ranking.

Bonato is 18,4 seconds ahead of Quentin Giordano (Polo GTI R5-Sarrazin Motorsport), who went off the road while braking on SS 2.

Author of the best time in SS 3, Ludovic Gal (Polo GTI R5-Sarrazin Motorsport) returns to the provisional podium. The winner of the Critérium in 2008 found complete confidence behind the wheel of his VW shod with Michelin MW1 tires.

How magnificent it is #Cevennes, même sous la pluie 😍

Première boucle sans encombres, à travers les gouttes ☔️, grâce aux pneus pluie Michelin Motorsport qui passent partout 😳

Ranking after ES3:
1. BONATO
2. GIORDANO +18.4
3. GAL +29.7#CFR #CHLSportAuto #C3Rally2 pic.twitter.com/q017afNfrt

— yoann bonato (@yoannbonato) October 29, 2021

Astonished by the performance of his Alpine on wet roads, Cédric Robert (A110 Rally-Bonneton HDG) is in the match for the podium. But, the former resident of Peugeot Sport en WRC knows that he must also manage the French 2 Wheel Drive Championship and the fight with Anthony Fotia (Clio Rally4), Stéphane Lefebvre (Corsa GS Line Rally4-Cilti) and Romain di Fante (Clio RSR Rally5).

Despite problems with the "pop-off" valve in SS 3, Eric Mauffrey (Fabia Rally2 evo-Revo 6) enters the provisional Top 5 after a good start to rally.

Eric Mauffrey – Photo Grégory Lenormand / DPPI

In the Michelin Trophy, four drivers fight for victory. Quentin Giordanon leads the way ahead of Ludovic Gal, Cédric Robert and Eric Mauffrey. These four drivers are held in less than 25 seconds. 

Florent Todeschini does not miss his debut at the wheel of the 208 Rally4 operated by the Lycée Saint-Vallier. The 2021 French Junior Champion leads the category ahead of Hugo Margaillan (208 Rally4-CHL Sport Auto). Winner of the previous round at the Coeur de France and assured of the U24 title, Réhane Gany (208 Rally4-Rossel Compétition) went off the road in SS 1.

As for the Clio Trophy France Asphalte, Guillaume Canivenq (Clio RSR Rally5) occupies first place ahead of Patrick Magnou (Clio RSR Rally5) and Thomas Chauffray (Clio RSR Rally5) who is back after his accident at the Coeur de France. Already assured of the title, Romain di Fante (Clio RSR Rally5) is less than 10 seconds from the provisional podium.

The match is close in the women's classification, Margot Dupuy (Clio RSR Rally5) is only 3,9 seconds ahead of Sarah Rumeau (208 Rally4). The latter could take advantage of Pauline Dalmasso's crash in SS 2 to grab valuable points in the Championship standings.

The first pilots will leave at 18:17 p.m. to complete a night loop which could hold its share of surprises.