Basso forced to retire from Corsica IRC thriller

Giandomenico Basso’s hopes of winning Giru di Corsica-Tour de Corse and claiming his fifth victory in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge are over after the Italian retired on the road section heading to Thursday’s overnight halt in Calvi.

Basso completed stage three 1.8s behind Andreas Mikkelsen following a thrilling battle for IRC honours on the demanding asphalt stages around Ajaccio this afternoon.

However, on the 124.63-kilometre liaison to Calvi, disaster struck Basso’s A-Style Team M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000.

“We were on a straight section when I noticed another car on the road coming in my direction,” said Basso. “I pulled to the side to avoid it but I hit a rock on the side of the road and this damaged something in the steering. I carried on for about 20 kilometres but there was damage also to a driveshaft and an engine.

“I am very, very disappointed because we were doing well against very strong competitors. Unfortunately these things can happen.”

Basso’s retirement promotes Dani Sordo into second and Corsican Pierre Campana up to third.