Rallye Castine Terre d'Occitanie: Todeschini had a close call, but wins

It was only in the final moments of this Rally Castine Terre d'Occitanie 2026 will determine the outcome. Leading yesterday after the first leg, Florent Todeschini and Florian Barral secured victory in the season's opening round, a year and a half after their last appearance on this surface and two years after their last CFRT win at the 2024 Rallye Terre des Causses. That victory was also in a Citroën C3 Rally2, also with CHL Sport Auto, and already sporting Yacco livery: a package that clearly proved successful for the duo. However, their campaign wasn't without its challenges. Right from the first special stage of this second leg, they were late checking in after being stopped by the police on the road for what was initially a routine check. The incident took longer than expected, and the two men received a 30-second penalty applied at the end of the first loop, leaving them with the lead by a mere second.

Castine Terre d'Occitanie Rally: 2C Compétition places two cars on the podium

Behind them, Conner Martell and Alex Gelsomino were determined to give it their all to try and clinch their first European victory. But in the afternoon, Todeschini and Barral did what was necessary, maintaining their lead and even extending it, allowing the 2C Compétition crew to secure their second podium finish in as many events in France, following their second place at the 2025 Rallye Terre de Vaucluse. The pair will be back in action at the Terre des Causses in early April and then, subsequently, in WRC2. The other highlight of this 2026 Castine Rally was the third-place finish: Sarah Rumeau and Julie Amblard finally achieved their first career podium! After coming very close to achieving it in 2025, this time they managed to put everything together and thus allow their team, the same as Martell and Gelsomino, to position their two Škoda Fabia RS Rally2s on the podium.

ALSO READ > Castine Terre d'Occitanie Rally – Stage 1: Todeschini above the fray

Ribaud and Margaillan are back in business at Castine Terre d'Occitanie

Those unlucky on Saturday were able to redeem themselves on Sunday. Quentin Ribaud and Loan Biagetti, who were in contention for the podium yesterday before a handbrake problem dropped them down the rankings, delivered a solid performance and secured fourth place overall. Ribaud thus equals his best result in CFRT, achieved in 2023 with the Renault Clio Rally3, at the Aleria Gravel Rally. The Margaillan family also salvaged some pride on this final stage. After the first day on Hoosier tires, they opted to switch back to Michelins on Sunday, and the difference was undeniable, as the 2024 French Gravel Rally Champions subsequently set some very good times. We'll have to wait until next month, April 04th and 05th to be precise, to see the French Gravel Rally Championship competitors again near Capdenac for the Rallye Terre des Causses.

CFRT – Castine Terre d'Occitanie Rally
The final Top 10