Rome: Andrea Crugnola leader by one breath in Italy, Mathieu Franceschi 3rd

At the end of a day during which no driver really took the advantage, Andrea Crugnola finished Saturday as leader. The gaps between the first 6 being very close, nothing is decided yet. Mathieu Franceschi is 3rd while Stéphane Lefebvre is 19th.

Published 27/07/2024 à 19:17

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Rome: Andrea Crugnola leader by one breath in Italy, Mathieu Franceschi 3rd

Andrea Crugnola only has a very narrow lead at the Roma Capitale Rally (Photo: Red Bull)

After the iconic 1,3 km superspecial stage around the Colosseum in Rome on Friday evening, the competitors had 6 special stages to compete in today. Among these 94 km timed, there were the two passages in the very long Santopadre-Fontana Liri (28,74 km). Contrary to what was expected, this section was not decisive in establishing the ranking.

The latter continued to evolve throughout the stage without any hierarchy emerging. Although poorly placed (21^e) in the starting order due to his poor qualification, Andrea Crugnola (Citroën C3) took the lead after the first special. Winner last year, the Italian won 2 SS, isolating himself with a margin of 11”2 over a surprising Simone Tempestini. Having never used the Skoda Fabia R2 Rally2 on asphalt, the Romanian took advantage of Crugnola's caution in the long timed sector to steal first place. A little less bleeding at the end of the stage, Tempestini lost time in the final SS offering the possibility for Crugnola to regain the leadership. The latter only having a lead of 0”7, nothing is decided in Italy.

Author of a superb qualification on Friday morning, Mathieu Franceschi chose to lead the way. Left carefully (7^e), the Frenchman gradually increased the tempo. This allowed him to regularly gain places. First 9^e, then 6^e after SS3, it went to 5^e finally then 3^e in SS6. This day which took place south of Fiuggi where the service park is located was positive for the Varois who is ahead of Hayden Paddon by 3'' and Mads Ostberg by 28''8. Now well on the pace on the Italian tarmac, Mathieu and his co-driver Andy Malfoy are only 4''9 behind Crugnola and they can still claim victory.

Discovering the event, Stéphane Lefebvre had some difficulty determining the correct settings. At the wheel of a Hyundai i20 too bouncy, he had to settle for the 19^e rank.

Once again offering 6 stages, the final stage measures 93,66 km timed north of the host city.

Ranking of the first stage of the Rally Roma Capitale