Pieter Tsjoen takes off

Beaten in particular by Bryan Bouffier during SS1, Pieter Tsjoen then set the best time in the following three specials to gain a large lead at the end of the first day of driving.

Published on 19/03/2010 à 22:08

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Pieter Tsjoen (Ford Focus WRC) quickly made things clear. The Belgian Champion, if nothing has yet been won, is placed as a favorite to take victory in the Rally du Touquet, an event he won last October, already with ease. However, in SS1, a super special stage set on the seaside of the Pas-de-Calais seaside resort, it was the Frenchman Bryan Bouffier (Peugeot 207 S2000) who set the best time, marking his return to the roads of the French Championship in the most beautiful way.

But, in the Montcavrel special (SS2), Pieter Tsjoen was able to show his power and sign a first scratch, relegating all his opponents to more than thirty seconds. In SS3 and SS4, the Belgian did it again, to gain an already significant lead after only 43 kilometers covered.

At the end of SS4, Pieter Tsjoen has 1?20?? ahead of Claudie Tanghe (Toyota Celica), recent winner of the Rallye des routes du Nord, for a Belgian double at the head of the Rallye du Touquet. Once again, Tsjoen's good behavior on the slippery roads of Pas-de-Calais is decisive. “ It is difficult to see changes in grip, confided the Belgian at the end of SS2. I had fun but I had to be very careful. It's very slippery when braking. I could go a lot faster. »

On Saturday, ten special stages are on the program before the four timed sections on Sunday morning.