Rouergue – Cuoq has the advantage over Sarrazin

Stéphane Sarrazin had a slight lead over Jean-Marie Cuoq at the end of the first stage of the Rally of Rouergue. But the two small seconds ahead that the Peugeot 307 WRC were no match for the six consecutive stage wins of the Ford Focus WRC driver who completed the second stage with a lead of 21 seconds over his direct rival who suffered from brake problems. “The results are satisfactory”, comments the leader of the event. “I didn't think I would have all the best times. I was a little tense in the first stage this morning. Moyrazes is a monument of the rally and we do the regular scratch twice with significant gaps. It's a great battle with Stéphane. »

Jean-Michel Da Cunha retains his third place but will struggle to lift his Citroën C4 WRC to a better position, now 51 seconds behind second place with 50km timed remaining to be contested. After Julien Maurin (Fiesta WRC), Pierre Roché (Mini JCW WRC), Bryan Bouffier (207 S2000) and Pascal Enjolras (Porsche 997) who retired during the first stage, it was Dany Snobeck's turn to throw in the towel after a fire broke out on his C4 WRC while he was in fourth place. Cédric Robert and Freddy Loix took the opportunity to lift their 207 S2000 to fourth and fifth place while Lionel Baud (307 WRC) and Gilles Nantet (Porsche 997 Cup) completed the top seven.