Gilsoul:
Strasbourg
stage can
catch
crews
out

Strasbourg hosts a 3.63-kilometre test from 16:30hrs local time with the finish close to the city’s European Parliament building. Despite its short distance, Gilsoul reckons a steady approach will be required over the three-lap course.

“There will be a lot of concrete edges so it will be quite tricky,” said Gilsoul, who partners his fellow Belgian Neuville in the Citroen Junior World Rally Team. “Because of this the stage can catch us out and we have to be very clever because there is nothing to win in this type of stage.”

Dominique Serieys, the Rallye de France Alsace general manager, said fans watching the action will be in for a treat: “The rhythm will be rapid, as the tiniest second will already be making a difference; the different changes of direction will be spectacular and the three laps will offer a fantastic show to the public.”

Neuville, meanwhile, added: “We have a good feeling, the recce went well and we are happy to start. Our target is to be as fast as in Germany but our aim is to go to the finish at the same time so it’s a big challenge for us but we are ready.”