Yoann Bonato and co-driver Benjamin Boulloud claimed the fastest time in the 5 Cols special stage at the Critérium des Cévennes, clawing back 10.2 seconds from rivals Yohan Rossel and Alexis Maillefert, autohebdo.fr reported. The result tightens the battle at the front of the French Rally Championship round as competitors drive the challenging tarmac roads around Montpellier.
The 5 Cols Stage Battle and Standings
Spanning 53.45 kilometers from Saint-André-de-Valborgne to Sumène, the 5 Cols test stands as the longest special stage of the season. Bonato and Boulloud dominated the marathon stretch in their Lancia Ypsilon, crossing the line in 33 minutes and 31.5 seconds, according to data published by rallye-sport.ouest-france.fr. Rossel and Maillefert finished the stage 10.2 seconds back in their matching Lancia machinery.
The performance narrows the gap between the two leading crews. Rossel maintains the overall rally lead, but his margin over Bonato shrinks to 11.6 seconds after two full days of competition. Meanwhile, championship leaders Raphaël Astier and Denis Giraudet secured the fourth-fastest time on the stage in their Porsche 992, retaining a firm grip on third place overall with a cushion of more than four minutes over their chasing rivals.
Changes in the Top Ten and Stage Neutralization
Hugo Margaillan and Mathieu Coppa capitalized on steady pacing to climb into fourth place overall in their Hyundai i20N, edging ahead of Dorian Nicolas and Vincent Carmille in the general standings, autohebdo.fr reported. Margaillan sits 23.2 seconds behind the leading pace, while Astier holds a 48.7-second gap to the frontrunners.
Race control neutralized the stage following an accident involving Jean-Baptiste Daune and Melvine Pitois. The pair crashed their Hyundai i20N Rally2 into a fast, tree-lined section of the route. Official championship communications confirmed that both crew members emerged from the incident uninjured, though the blockage forced officials to halt further passes through the stage.
What vehicle and times define the Critérium des Cévennes?
What vehicle are Yoann Bonato and Yohan Rossel driving at the Critérium des Cévennes?
Both leading crews compete behind the wheel of Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 machines entered in the F-RC2 class.
What was the official time difference between Bonato and Rossel on the 5 Cols stage?
Bonato completed the 53.45-kilometer test in 33 minutes and 31.5 seconds, finishing 10.2 seconds ahead of Rossel.
Who holds the overall championship lead heading into the final stages?
Raphaël Astier and Denis Giraudet enter the closing stages in third place overall, holding a secure lead over the rest of the championship contenders.
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