Aléria Rally – SS9: Martell and Gelsomino remain in the lead before the final stage, fastest time for the Margaillan family

This third round of the 2026 French Gravel Rally Championship is currently living up to all expectations. At the start of this final loop of the rally, two special stages long, 1,4 seconds separated the leaders Conner Martell – Alex Gelsomino (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) from their runners-up Sarah Rumeau – Julie Amblard (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2), while the battle for 3rd place between Quentin Ribaud – Loan Biagetti (Hyundai i20N Rally2), Matthieu and Mathilde Margaillan (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) and Jean-Philipe Quilichini – FX Buresi (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2), in that order, was also intense with only 13,7 seconds between these 3 crews at the start of SS9.

SS9, the second run through Pianiccia – Domaine de la Taste, saw Matthieu and Mathilde Margaillan set the fastest time with a 7:51.7, while Conner Martell and Alex Gelsomino slightly increased their lead over Sarah Rumeau and Julie Amblard: 1,7 seconds now separate the two 2C Compétition crews. As with the Rallye Terre des Causses, the outcome of the Rallye Terre d'Aléria will therefore be decided on the final stage. Quentin Ribaud and Loan Biagetti posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, but now hold only a 2,4-second advantage over the Margaillan family. Having struggled in this special stage, Jean-Philippe Quilichini – FX Buresi are now 17,2 seconds behind the 2024 French Gravel Rally Champions. In SMRC4, the gap is now only 12,3 seconds between Alexandre Villiod – Maëlle Casays and Tom Pellerey – Kevin Bronner, the latter having set the fastest provisional time of the competition in this special stage.

ALSO READ > Rallye Terre d'Aléria – SS8: Martell and Gelsomino still in the lead, Rumeau and Amblard keep the pressure on

CFRT – Aléria Land Rally
The provisional classification of SS9

The provisional overall standings after SS9