Mourgues wins at home

Jean-François Mourgues, during this Cévennes criterium, was playing at home. Born in Ganges, where the French Rally Championship set down on Thursday, the driver of the Peugeot 307 WRC finished the last special of the weekend, in Sumène, where he lives, as leader. Eight years after his first victory in the Cévennes, to which must be added four second places (1998 to 2000 and 2008), Jean-François Mourgues returns to success.

After Guillaume Canivenq (Peugeot 207 S2000) led the race at the end of SS1, the Cévenol then showed off his knowledge of the terrain. Author of four best times in six special stages on Friday, Mourgues has widened a sufficient gap to approach this final day, punctuated by four special stages, with serenity.

And if he was less comfortable in the short sector leading from Saint-Martial to Sumène during the two passages, the native of Ganges was able to show no sign of weakness in the other special, that linking Valleraugue at the Col de la Tribale, more than thirty kilometers long.

With a good lead before the last special of the Critérium, the Jean-François Mourgues / Denis Giraudet crew was able to take advantage of their position to seek a victory with their arms outstretched. “ We drove calmly in this last special, confirmed Mourgues after crossing the line. It’s extraordinary, I’m super happy. It was not easy. We didn't have to give up. Denis (Giraudet, his co-driver) always gave me good advice. »

Behind, Guillaume Canivenq did not finish far from the leader but was able to defend his second position against Patrick Henry (Peugeot 206 WRC). The two men remain in the fight for the title of champion of France. Behind the trio of Peugeot cars, the Abarth Grande Punto S2000 of Cédric Robert and Olivier Marty climbed to fourth and fifth places. Manu Guigou (Renault Clio R3 Maxi) finished in sixth position, after managing to catch Pierre Roché (Subaru Impreza WRC) during the day.

In eighth place, Romain Dumas manages to place his Porsche 996 GT3 in front of the Subaru Impreza WRC of Michel Bonfils. “ I loved it, confides the official Porsche driver. I'm happy, it's a beautiful rally. I have a thought for the whole team. We did everything together. It’s a great success. »

Next and final round of the French Rally Championship, during the last weekend of November, on the roads of Var.