Victory for Ciamin at the Rallye du Touquet

Le Rally du Touquet 2019 (Nord-Pas-de-Calais) had some great twists and turns in its second stage. In the lead at the end of the night specials on Friday, Yoann Bonato (Citroën) was unable to contain the return to form of the two Volkswagen Polo GTI R5s of Nicolas Ciamin and Quentin Gilbert, which offer a double to the German manufacturer. 

Nicolas Ciamin took the lead after the seventh special, while Yoann Bonato chose the wrong tires. “It’s a great moment for me! This is my first major victory and I put it on par with my success in Finland in Junior WRC, admits the 21-year-old pilot. 

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Yoann Bonato must be satisfied with the last step of the podium. “I’m happy to finish the rally like this. It was a good weekend, the car was perfect. The only mistake was me who made it with my poor choice of tires this morning, recognizes the double French Asphalt Rally Champion. A lot of us are riding well now and this season is going to be great. »

The ordeal, however, ended abruptly for Adrien fourmaux (Ford). The driver of the French FFSA Team left in a spectacular series of rolls. “Everything is fine and I just have to have another exam on Monday for my eye which was attacked by a large clod of earth during our rolls. Everything is OK, I just have a few bruises. » 

His co-driver Renaud Jamoul was also unhurt. “We got trapped by a left turn, painted with mud. We slid down the shoulder, hitting a field entrance which sent us rolling. Health-wise, I'm doing well. »

Find it in AUTO issue 2208hebdo analysis of the Rallye du Touquet, available Monday evening in digital version and Wednesday on newsstands.

Final ranking

1.Ciamin/Roche (Volkswagen Polo GTI R5) in 1h54m38s6

2.Gilbert/Guieu (Volkswagen Polo GTI R5) + 13s7

3.Bonato/Boulloud (Citroën C3 R5, Team CHL Sport Auto) + 18s6

4.Lefebvre/Portier (Citroën C3 R5, Team Minerva Oil by gbi.com) + 1m08s3

5.Pellier/Barthelon (Skoda Fabia R5, Team FJ) + 2m05s9

6.Brunson/Mondon (Ford Fiesta WRC) + 3m54s1

7.Mauffrey/Bronner (Skoda Fabia R5) + 6m10s1

8.Ragues/Pesenti (Skoda Fabia R5, Team JSA Yacco) + 7m24s0

9.Rouillard/Gamboni (Skoda Fabia R5) + 9m20s2

10.Bayard/Buysschaert (DS 3 R5) +11m22s4…