After SS1: Neuville strikes first in Corsica

Thierry Neuville leads Tour de Corse-E.Leclerc after winning the opening stage of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier.

Driving his Team Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg 207 Super 2000, the 22-year-old completed the 27.53-kilometre Le Fangu-Notre Dame de la Serra test in a time 16m10.3s.

“I had some hot moments and had to slow down a bit in the middle section because it was bumpy and the suspension [set-up] was not so good,” said Neuville.

Jan Kopecký was second fastest in his factory Škoda Fabia. He said: “The handling was not so perfect as I expected. We need to think to make it better for the second pass.”

Andreas Mikkelsen completed the top three in his Škoda UK Fabia. “It was more bumpy and there is a big puncture risk but I found a good rhythm,” said the Norwegian.

Rallye Monte-Carlo winner Bryan Bouffier completed the stage in a time of 16m14.2s in his Peugeot 207 S2000: “The stage is nice but I get a problem with my steering wheel, I think my times will be bad,” said Bouffier.

Guy Wilks lost eight seconds when he suffered a spin at the eight-kilometre mark. However, he was still fifth quickest. “I had a little spin but you can’t let it frustrate you. I had a stall and I was facing in the wrong direction. The car got progressively softer during the stage.”

Freddy Loix said he lacked confidence behind the wheel of his BFO Škoda Fabia: “We took a long time to get confidence in the car even though private shakedown went well. I was not driving well.”

Standings after SS1: