WRC – Evans leads a stunning Tour de Corse

Elfyn Evans (Ford) is the surprising leader of the Tour de Corse at the end of the first stage which was limited to two special stages, the SS2 having been canceled due to the floods hitting the Isle of Beauty. The Welshman achieved the scratch in SS3 Francardo? Sermano, 36,43km long, signing a time of 26'48"5 with around ten seconds ahead of Kevin Abring (Hyundai).

The crews leaving behind seem to have benefited from better conditions since Stephane Sarrazin (Ford) and Bryan Bouffier (Ford) were the closest to the reference time by preceding Andreas Mikkelsen (Volkswagen) and Jari-Matti Latvala (Volkswagen).

But the big loser of the course is certainly Sébastien Ogier (Volkswagen) who set a very fast pace before having to stop to change a wheel following a slow puncture. The three-time world champion lost more than a minute at the head of the race and will ultimately have to restart in Rally 2. Dani sordo (Hyundai) was a victim of the same evil.

Elfyn Evans thus finds himself in the lead with a lead of 18”7 over Kevin Abring and 22"9 on Jari-Matti Latvala. Mads ostberg (Citroën) follows 38 seconds behind the leader, ahead of a few seconds Robert Kubica (Ford) who was further behind in this special after a good start. The Pole is ahead Stéphane Sarrazin, Andreas Mikkelsen, Kris Meeke and Bryan Bouffier. Sébastien Ogier is in tenth place, just over a minute from the head of the race.

Pontus Tidemand (Skoda Fabia R5) retired while leading WRC2. Craig Breen (Peugeot 208 T16) inherited the commands of the category with three seconds ahead of Julien Maurin (Fiesta S2000) and around ten on Esapekka Lappi (Fabia R5).

Romain Dumas maintains the lead of the RGT despite transmission problems with a dozen seconds ahead of Francois Delecour.

Videos of the Tour de Corsica

The Tour de Corse will resume this Saturday October 3 from 10:08 a.m. (following cancellation of ES4) and will be followed on AUTOhebdo.fr and Canal+ Sport.