Critérium des Cévennes: Bonato takes advantage

Yoann Bonato returned to Vigan as leader of the first stage of the Critérium des Cévennes. The four-time French Rally Champion took advantage of Léo Rossel's transmission problems on SS 6.

Published on 27/10/2023 à 21:13

⁰ View comments)

Critérium des Cévennes: Bonato takes advantage

On his home soil and with his recent victory in the Final of the French Rally Cup in Ambert, Léo Rossel (C3 Rally2-PH Sport by Minerva Oil) had every intention of standing up to Yoann Bonato (C3 Rally2-CHL Sport Auto).

The PH Sport driver quickly took control before seeing Bonato respond in SS 2. From then on, the two drivers forgot the adversity and took advantage of each other with seconds.

With a lead of more than 7'' over Bonato at the start of SS 6, Rossel suffered a transmission problem on his C3 Rally2 and lost more than 50''. Bonato took the opportunity to take control.

Leo Rossel – Photo Bastien Roux / DPPI

Known to be demanding, the Critérium des Cévennes did not spare Eric Camilli (C3 Rally2-PH Sport by Minerva Oil) and Stéphane Sarrazin (Polo GTi R5) who also encountered some mechanical problems.

Stephane Sarrazin – Photo Bastien Roux / DPPI

At the end of a very eventful day, Bonato took the lead at the end of the first stage with more than 50 seconds ahead of Rossel, who took advantage of the racing events to move up to second place.

The longest special stage of the Championship

Third and first in the two-wheel drive classification, Raphaël Astier (A110 Rally-CHL Sport Auto) is getting closer to the title of French 2WD Champion. In the Top 5 behind, Yanncik Vivens (DS 3 R5), the local of the stage, Cédric Robert (A110 Rally-Team Bonneton HDG) has not said his last word to return to Astier.

Raphael Astier – Photo Bastien Roux / DPPI

The big second stage including a 38,4 km section (St-André de Valborgne-Col de Bes – ES 12) could shake things up! Verdict Saturday afternoon around 17:30 p.m.