Auto: Matthieu Margaillan (Fabia) leads the Terre des Causses rally

A great opportunity for someone whose hunt for a national title is off to a good start. So, at the end of the first loop of the three special stages of the Terre des Causses rally near Villeneuve this Saturday, with a few surprises too, the provisional general of the first half of the day gave Matthieu Margaillan and his Fabia the lead, after of taking the lead from the first case in the end of which he believed: “We drove clean because it is difficult to attack with this slide “. Behind him, we found one of the announced outsiders, Laurent Pellier who, although he admitted to having a difficult second experience with his Hyundai I20, also admitted “to celebrate “.

Third place was taken by Florent Todeschini, Citroën C3 R2, who was having problems getting used to his new car: “Everything changes, even the driving position, my best step was the first even if it was not obvious when opening the road.“The biggest surprise came from Aveyron-born François Xavier-Blanc (Fabia), originally from Saint-Geniez, who scored first in SS3 and took 4th place in the overall time standings on the afternoon.”I was a little hesitant at firsthe will say. But then I went for it. Despite everything, I did not expect to make this beginning.“

The top 5 was completed by another newcomer, Jean-Sébastien Vigion, the reigning French two-wheel drive champion, who moved into category one with a Citroën C3 R2. The main loser of this first loop was none other than Benjamin Clemençon, who lost almost 4 minutes to a puncture on SS3 and crashed down the levels.

Blanc, the highlight of Aveyron

Then, in the second loop, if the first two special stages did not change the situation of the leaders, the 24 kilometers of the last passage were bad for the native of Aveyron François-Xaxier Blanc, losing almost three minutes. “We stopped at a tight hairpinhe explained at the same time he saw the platform fly. The starter got stuck and we had to wait for the audience to push us and then we left. “This special was also an opportunity for Laurent Pellier to make his debut in the French gravel championship. And the podium for the first stage was unchanged: Margaillan, Pellier and Todeschini.

In other categories, the fight also heated up, especially in the Clio Trophy championship where various leaders followed each other throughout the day. A day spent by Tom Pellerey taking the lead ahead of Benjamin Boulenc and Mika Rasoaromamaka. The cup in which Bozoulais Jean-Michel Da Cunha took 10th place and Ruthenois Arthur Pélamourgues 13th.

Tomorrow, about 120 survivors will advance to the final stage where everything is still up for grabs, with the leaders separated by a few seconds. We will have to strike a perfect balance between securing and attacking.