Heart of France: Advantage Rossel

We knew he was comfortable in tricky conditions, and Léo Rossel (C3 Rally2-PH Sport by Minerva Oil) confirmed it this morning. On the first two special stages held on tricky roads, the Citroën driver took a lead of more than twenty seconds over his rivals Yoann Bonato (C3 Rally2-Trajectus Motorsport) and Eric Camilli (i20 N Rally2-Team Bonneton HDG-2C Compétition).

This afternoon, the current leader of the French Championship was having a hard time in SS5 following a steering problem that was bothering him. He lost just over ten seconds. Rossel quickly got back into his usual routine with a scratch in special stage no. 6. He has a margin of more than 19 seconds over Yoann Bonato (C3 Rally2-Trajectus Motorsport).

Yoann Bonnato-Benjamin Boulloud ©Grégory Lenormand / DPPI

Yoann Bonato has not managed to find the weapons to worry the leader. But the six-time winner of the event knows that the 100 kilometers spread over six special stages could allow him to get back into the game.

Wiper problem, small mistake, wrong choice of tires, Eric Camilli (i20 N Rally2-Team Bonneton HDG-2C Compétition) had an eventful first day at the wheel of his Hyundai. Camilli is in third place with a comfortable lead over his pursuers.

They learn quickly

Pablo Sarrazin (Polo GTI R5-Sarrazin Motorsport) and Lucas Darmezin (C3 Rally2-VIP Enjolras Race) stood out throughout the day with promising times. 

Lucas Darmezin-Valentin Augé ©Bastien Roux / DPPI

The first mentioned, aged 18, even achieved a very good performance since he is in fifth place in the provisional ranking behind Darmezin.

Despite a 10-second penalty for a jump start on SS6, 22-year-old Darmezin is on the verge of a podium finish.

Réhane Gany (Fiesta Rally2-Sarrazin Motorsport-Iron Lynx) is ahead of Anthony Cosson (Porsche 991 GT3 Cup 4.0), leader in GT+.

Cedric Robert-Matthieu Duval ©Grégory Lenormand / DPPI

Cédric Robert (A110 Rally-Team Bonneton HDG-2C Compétition), leader of the 2 Wheel Drive classification, is determined to score big points for the French Championship. The Stéphanois is ahead of Ludovic Godard (A110 Rally). The latter occupies first place in the Trophy classification Alpine Elf Rally ahead of Pierre Roché (A110 Rally-Team FJ), the local boy. Fighting for a good place in the Trophy, he was forced to retire in SS6 due to mechanical failure.

Six special stages are scheduled for tomorrow. The start of SS8 is scheduled for 8:48.

Stage 1 ranking