Rally France – Maurin dominates, Cuoq gives up

From a very close duel until the last ES, we meet again this evening at the end of the first day of this rally du Touquet to an almost solo by Julien Maurin. The reigning French champion was rid of the threat Jean-Marie Cuoq (Citroën C4 WRC). The 2012 French champion was forced to retire in the final time trial of the day, following two punctures. A mishap which benefits Quentin Gilbert (Citroën C4 WRC) who places himself as Maurin's closest challenger, at 31″7. Gilbert must regret his puncture in SS2, without which he could have been ahead of the leader's Fiesta.

Pierre Roché (Mini JCW WRC) completes the podium of this first stage, 1′ from the lead of the rally. Eric Brunson (Ford Fiesta RS WRC), three outgoing winner, is 4th, but far from his hopes. It must be said that he discovered the Ford during this event. Lionel Baud takes fifth place in another Fiesta RS.

In the Michelin Trophy, Marc Amourette took advantage of the last SS to take command ahead of Gilles Nantet (Porsche 911 GT2), Jean-Charles Beaubelique who debuted the Ford Fiesta R5 in France and the Porsche 997 Cup of Patrick Rouillard. Manu Guigou, who was in contact with the two German cars, lost a big minute in SS7 on an exit and lost the lead in the Two Wheel Drive classification.

In 208 Rally, Stéphane Lefebvre (11th overall) had a trouble-free day and was ahead of Charles Martin by 9″6 at the end of this first stage. In the Opel Adam Cup, Romain Fostier dominates the category.

Tomorrow, the competitors will set off for the second and final day of this opening round of the season from 10:08 a.m.