Thierry Neuville makes it happen at the Tour de Corse

Finally ! Very close to winning Rally Monte-Carlo and Sweden, Thierry Neuville finally won his first victory of the year in WRC at the Tour de Corsica. Firmly installed at the head of the event after the second stage, the Belgian Hyundai took place this Sunday, setting the best time in the 53 km marathon time trial in SS9, before taking place in the Power Stage.

“The feeling is incredible. A big thank you to the team; They always believed in me and continued to push me after Monte-Carlo and Sweden. I didn't know if we could win this rally after the first day, but we turned things around yesterday and I'm very happy. » comments the Belgian after the finish, fourth different winner in four rallies, and first Belgian to win the Tour de Corse as part of the WRC.

Neuville leads in the end by 54″7 Sébastien Ogier (Ford), who had nevertheless lost his second place after SS9 against Dani Sordo (Hyundai). The Spanish driver could aim for a double for the Korean brand, but, despite a reduced Fiesta in the Power Stage (lack of power, absence of anti-lag, etc.), Ogier was able to regain the advantage over Sordo, beaten by 1″ 3 at the finish for second place.

Jari-Matti Latvala places first Toyota Yaris in fourth position, after having overtaken the Citroën C3 of Craig Breen, ahead of just a tenth for first place of honor. Hayden Paddon (Hyundai) ranks sixth.

Mikkelsen easy winner in WRC-2

Seventh in the general classification, Andreas Mikkelsen (Skoda) won in WRC-2 with a margin of 1'06"3 over Teemu Suninen (Ford). Not registered in the category for this Tour de Corse, Stéphane Sarrazin (Skoda) demonstrated that he had lost none of his peak speed in rallying, finishing ninth overall, and 6″6 behind Suninen. Yohan Rossen (Citroën) completes the podium in WRC-2, and the top 10 in the event standings.

Nil Solans won the Junior WRC ahead of Nicolas Ciamin, Terry Folb having lost more than 3′ in the Power Stage after a transmission problem. Romain Dumas (Porsche) wins in R-GT in his duel against the Abarth 124 Rally of François Delecour and Raphaël Astier wins in WRC-3.

Tour de Corsica classification

Discover the full report and analysis of the Tour de Corse, produced by our special correspondents on the Isle of Beauty, in issue 2109 of AUTOhebdo, available tomorrow evening in digital version, and from this Wednesday on newsstands.