Rallye Terre d'Aléria - SS7: Conner Martell and Alex Gelsomino extend their lead

The American driver and his Italian co-driver from the 2C Compétition team once again set the fastest time in SS7 at Aléria. They slightly increased their lead over Sarah Rumeau and Julie Amblard with three stages remaining, now extending it to 1,8 seconds.

Published 23/05/2026 à 10:59

Comment on this article! ⁰

Aléria Rally – SS7: Conner Martell and Alex Gelsomino extend their lead

After regaining the overall lead in the previous stage, Conner Martell and Alex Gelsomino (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) once again set the fastest time on this seventh stage of the rally In 9:42.5, they now trail Sarah Rumeau and Julie Amblard, who were undoubtedly hampered by their starting position – and therefore by opening the road on Saturday – by 1,8 seconds overall. Indeed, driving their Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, the winners of the Rallye Terre des Causses clocked a time of 9:44.0 in this special stage.

ALSO READ > Rallye Terre d'Aléria – SS6: Conner Martell and Alex Gelsomino regain the lead in the standings

Slightly off course, Quentin Ribaud and Loan Biagetti (Hyundai The i20N Rally2 drivers lost a little ground, posting a time of 9:53.8, although the two men still maintain their provisional third position at the end of this stage. Things have changed behind them, however, as Matthieu and Mathilde Margaillan (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2), again setting the second fastest time with 9:43.8, are now fourth in the provisional overall standings, 5,4 seconds ahead of Jean-Philippe Quilichini and FX Buresi (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2). The 2024 French Gravel Rally Champions are also now just 8,4 seconds off the provisional podium.

In SMRC4, Tom Pellerey and Kevin Bronner set a new fastest time, continuing to put pressure on Alexandre Villiod and Maëlle Casays. While the young crew maintains its lead in the provisional standings, the gap between the two competitors has now fallen below 20 seconds, to 19,2 seconds to be precise.