Yoann Bonato takes the lead at Mont-Blanc

On his land in the Alps, Yoann Bonato (Citroën C3 R5) did not miss his resumption in the French Rally Championship on the roads of Mont-Blanc – Morzine.

After the first morning loop of three specials, and thanks in particular to his scratch in SS3 at Joux Plane, the CHL Sport Auto driver leads the peloton with a 9″3 margin over Quentin Gilbert (Citroën C3 R5) and 13″2 over Quentin Giordano (Volkswagen Polo GTI R5).

Author of a superb best time at the opening of SS1, Manu Guigou retains 4th place after this trio of specials with the first Alpine A110 R-GT, at the same time as Giordano.

Thibault Habouzit completes the top 5 with his Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 ahead of Ludovic Gal (Volkswagen Polo GTI R5) and William Wagner (Citroën C3 R5), despite two small time losses in SS2 and 3. Laurent Pellier hoists his Alpine A110 R-GT in the top 8.

Among the big losers of the morning, Jean-Baptiste Franceschi (Citroën C3 R5), winner at Terre de Lozère, conceded almost 2'50" in SS3 after a puncture and logically fell in the rankings. Similar scenario for Kévin Bochatay, author of an excellent start with his Skoda Fabia R5, but victim of a puncture in SS3.