French crews show good pace on Rallye Monte-Carlo

Nicolas Ciamin and Yannick Roche finished fourth in WRC2 at the season-opening Rallye Monte-Carlo (January 25-28). The French pair, aboard an i20 N Rally2 prepared by 2C Competition, were strong throughout the rally, which featured the event’s normal mix of tarmac stages, dotted with patches of ice amongst the French mountain roads. By avoiding major issues they were able to make up places to take fourth on the final stage of Saturday’s morning loop. The pair held the position through the remaining stages of the rally, Ciamin declaring himself happy at the conclusion of the Power Stage, where he was fourth quickest of the WRC2 entrants.

In an i20 R5, Jordan Berfa and Chloé Thomas were consistent to take 15th place overall. A regular with the car on French national and regional event, Berfa was eighth among the R5/Rally2-spec runners, despite not being entered for points in WRC2.

Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Manager Andrea Cisotti said: “The beginning of a season is always an interesting time, with new drivers and teams making their debuts. Nicolas Ciamin and Yannick Roche began their campaign in WRC2 with a strong result on a typically challenging Rallye Monte-Carlo. Through the coming weeks and months more of our customers will start their season – I am sure with the same positive results.”