Autosportfoto

Junior WRC in France: Franceschi’s debut win

Jean Baptiste Franceschi claimed his maiden FIA Junior World Rally Championship victory in Corsica on sunday afternoon.

Franceschi headed a French 1-2 at the Corsica linea - Tour de Corse, triumphing in the three-day mountain road fixture by 33.7sec from Terry Folb. Both were driving Ford Fiesta R2 cars.

After trailing Folb at the end of Friday's opening leg, Franceschi stormed to the head of the leaderboard by winning all six of Saturday's speed tests. He extended his lead further in the final two asphalt special stages close to Ajaccio today.

"It was the perfect rally for us," he said. "We made eight fastest times so we can't really expect anything better. The feeling is amazing. It's special to win here because there are a lot of people behind us who are supporting us. I'm really proud."

An all-Swedish fight for the final step of the podium went the way of Emil Bergkvist, who headed opening round winner Dennis Rådström by 41.1sec.

Callum Devine was in possession of third at the start of Sunday's final leg. However, a puncture delayed the Irishman and he finished fifth, more than two minutes adrift of Rådström. The top six was completed by Estonia's Ken Torn.

Luca Bottarelli claimed his maiden stage win in the final test. The Italian finished seventh after losing more than three minutes with a puncture on Friday.

Rådström leads the championship by a point from Franceschi after two of the six rounds. The series reverts to gravel for round three, the Vodafone Rally de Portugal, which is based in Matosinhos on 17 - 20 May.

Zdroj: wrc.com