SS16, Pont de Calzola II: Puras wins
Jesus Puras claimed his first ever World Rally Championship win after closest rival Gilles Panizzi failed to take enough time out of the Spaniard's lead in the final stage of the Corsica Rally. Panizzi was 14 seconds quicker than Puras through the rerun of Pont de Calzola, but it wasn't good enough to snatch victory from the Spaniard
Neither of the leading contenders particularly shone on SS16, with Puras setting only the 11th fastest time on the stage - and Panizzi was just two places ahead. But that was enough for the former Group N world champion to notch up his first victory at this level and Citroen's first WRC win in the Xsara WRC.
It was Richard Burns who was the pacesetter on the 31.79km test, finishing SS16 nine seconds faster than second-placed man Colin McRae. That saw Burns move up to fifth overall, ahead of team mate Markko Martin, and two championship points in the drivers' standings.
Behind McRae, Piero Liatti in the Hyundai popped up with the third fastest time, followed by Harri Rovanpera and Petter Solberg. Liatti's team mate Alister McRae rounded out the top six.
Didier Auriol was seventh fastest, three seconds ahead of Martin's Subaru Impreza. Freddy Loix in the Mitsubishi Lancer completed the top 10 times.
For full times from SS16, click here.
For full rally live timings, click here.
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