Breen thrilled with opening stage effort

Craig Breen said he was thrilled after completing the opening stage of round four of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge as the leading Peugeot runner.

The Irish ace, making his debut on Giru di Corsica-Tour de Corse, was third quickest in his 207 Super 2000.

Following the 25.89-kilometre test, which Breen completed 3.6s slower than Giandomenico Basso in an M-Sport Ford Fiesta RRC, the Saintéloc Peugeot star said: “I had an incredible feeling through the stage. The car was handling perfectly, like I’ve never felt it handle before. The pace was very comfortable and I’m very happy.”

Breen admitted his car’s brakes got too hot nearing the stage finish but was otherwise delighted with his performance alongside co-driver Gareth Roberts from the United Kingdom.

“I’m really pleased with that time,” he said. “It’s been five to six weeks of nothing but hard work before the rally. I’ve put so much effort in and I’m really satisfied.”