Rouergue – Bonato as leader

The four-time French Champion finished the first stage of the Rallye du Rouergue in the lead. He is a short distance ahead of Nicolas Ciamin and Quentin Giordano.

Author of the scratch time in the 22,7 kilometers of Campouriez-Le Nayrac, Yoann Bonato (C3 Rally2-CHL Sport Auto) retained his status as leader despite the attacks of Nicolas Ciamin (i20 N Rally2-Hyundai 2C Competition) and Quentin Giordano (Polo GTI R5-Sarrazin Motorsport). The C3 Rally2 driver is 8,1 seconds ahead of his first pursuers and knows that the second stage still has some Aveyron traps in store.

Nicolas Ciamin – Photo Damien Saulnier / DPPI

After a tricky first loop with a rear axle problem, Nicolas Ciamin found a rhythm that suits him with two scratch times to boot. The Niçois made a big attack in the final SS of the day to set the best time despite hitting a wall at the finish cell of SS6. This performance nevertheless allows him to move up to second place before starting the second stage.

Third in the provisional classification, Quentin Giordano, the leader of the French Championship, suffered the breakage of his anti-roll bar this morning. Nevertheless, this provisional third place and its provisional leadership in the Michelin Premium Trophy remain a good operation in view of the various Championships.

Quentin Giordano – Photo Damien Saulnier / DPPI

After a convincing first stage in terms of raw performance, Hugo Margaillan (C3 Rally2-CHL Sport Auto) is just off the podium, just 0,6 seconds behind Giordano.

William Wagner (Polo GTI R5-Sarrazin Motorsport) completes the Top 5 and will have to contain Pierre Roché (C3 Rally2-Team FJ) who is less than 20 seconds behind the Franco-Belgian driver.

Despite a difficult day with many problems, Cédric Robert (A110 Rally-Team Bonneton HDG) finished this first day at the top of the two-wheel drive classification. 

Leader of the Michelin Amateur Trophy, Guillaume Canivenq (Clio Super1600) lost more than three minutes in the final SS of the day and plunged in the provisional ranking. Patrick Benne (208 Rally4) took the opportunity to take the lead ahead of Sarah Rumeau (Corsa Rally4-Cilti Sport).

First leader of the Trophy Alpine Elf Rally, Cyril Raymond (A110 Rally-Chazel Technologie Course) lost time this morning following interchange problems. The former World RX resident took advantage of the second loop to come back to 21,2 seconds behind Grégory Fontalba, leader at the end of this first day. 

Tomorrow the drivers will cover 94,24 kilometers against the clock, divided into 6 special stages. Yoann Bonato, the leader, will start SS 7 tomorrow morning at 10:07 a.m.

Ranking of the 1st stage