Summary Welshman Elfyn Evans took lead after the rain-hampered first day of the Rally of France in Corsica.
AJACCIO (AFP) - Welshman Elfyn Evans took the early lead after the rain-hampered first day of the Rally of France in Corsica on Friday as world champion Sebastien Ogier s hopes disappeared.
Ford Fiesta driver Evans won the third special of the day to lead Dutchman Kevin Abbring, in a Hyundai, by 18.8sec, and Finland s Jari Matti Latvala by 22.9sec in the 11th of the 13-round world championship series.
World championship leader Ogier had gotten off to a flying start in the first special -- a challenging 30km climb from Liamone beach on the west of the Mediterranean island up to Carcopino -- but the French driver suffered a puncture on the third special from Francardo to Sermano, to sit 1min 13.2sec adrift in 10th.
But worse was to follow on the 74km transfer to the day s overnight halt in Bastia, Ogier suffered a gear shift problem that put an end to his hopes.
He failed to fix the problem and had to retire his car for the day, incurring a 10-minute penalty that dropped him to 55th overall and almost certainly out of the running for victory.
Friday s second special between Casamozza and Ponte Leccia, in the north, was cancelled because of landslides caused by heavy rain which caused flooding.
"When I finished I didn t think I had had such a good time," admitted Evans.
"I m a bit surprised but we were consistent, we made no mistake," the Welshman continued.
"The first stage was difficult but not due to the conditions as it had dried a lot. In the last stage I had a good rhythm but when there s that much water, gravel and dirt you concentrate on staying on the road rather than attacking."
Pole Robert Kubica, who had shared the first stage lead with Ogier, also slumped to fifth at 40sec as the Ford Fiesta driver admitted "lacking confidence" negotiating the tricky roads covered with potholes and puddles.
Before his gear shift problem, Ogier explained how a sharp stone had slashed a back tyre, causing the earlier puncture.
"I m disappointed -- this puncture has cost us victory. It looks like it will be difficult to make up the difference."
On Saturday, the competitors will cover 130km and three specials from Bastia in the north east to Porto Vecchio in the south.
