© Scuderia del Grifone

They had not yet managed to win a special in this 25th Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique, it’s done and it’s well-deserved. The Italian couple in the 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 TI, Giovanni and Tiziana Chiesa, took first place, all alone, in the SR7 between Lamastre and Colombier-le-Jeune (13.558km), on the last stage of this first day of the Common Leg. They beat another Italian crew, Maurizio Aiolfi and Carlo Merenda, in a 1975 Lancia Beta Coupé 1800, who tied for 2^nd place with Spanish duo Esteban Munne-Olga Feliu, in a 2000 Seat 124 Especial from 1977. It was a long day, with different stage winners but a hierarchy that is beginning to take shape in the overall standings. Every crew returned to Valence very tired, but with lots of memories in mind. Monday, the 2^nd day of the Common Leg, with four other stages on the menu, should make it possible to settle the situation a little.