Zoom Travaglia won the rally, and maybe the championship

It is without surprise that Italian Renato Travaglia emerged victorious at the 42nd edition of the Rallye d'Antibes after dominating it from beginning to end. Simon Jean-Joseph and Volkan Isik accompanied him on the final podium.

Leading from SS 1, Travaglia led the event at the controls of his Fiat Grande Punto Super 2000 without ever being truly worried by Jean-Joseph's Citroën C2 Super 1600. A logical result when considering that both are high-caliber drivers expressing their art in two different categories, making things difficult for true comparison.

Out of 17 special stages, 2002 rally winner Renato Travaglia accomplished the best time on 13, while Simon Jean-Joseph took two; Volkan isik and Corrado Fontana claimed one each.

By reaching second place, Jean-Joseph had hopes of obtaining the European Championship title for Citroën Sport; however, the official and final outcome will only be known when the FIA determines a verdict regarding Travaglia's appeal of the Greek Elpa Rally results.

For his first appearance on this race, Turkish driver Volkan Isik brought his Fiat Punto Super 2000 onto the third step of the overall podium. Michal Solowow and Philippe Mermet took fourth and fifth positions respectively.

Corrado Fontana (Fiat Punto Super 1600) and Ivan Paire (Clio Super 1600) both completed the competition under Super Rally rules by delivering great performances, with Fontana even marking the fastest run on the last stage.

Renato Travaglia:
"It was a very hard and long rally. I was always attacking, trying to gain a maximum number of points for the championship."

Simon Jean-Joseph:
"It was a real little Monte-Carlo! I am very proud of this result for the whole team and for Citroën. Today, on paper, we are European champions."

Volkan Isik:
"I am very happy. The roads were fantastic and I finished on the podium of the European Championship."

Michal Solowow:
"This greatly pleased me – bravo to the organisers!"

Philppe Mermet:
"I wanted to finish in the top five, and that's done – and on the most beautiful of French rallies!"

Daniel BASTIEN
© CAPSIS International