[27-02-2021]
PIERRE RAGUES SET TO CONTEST FULL FIA R-GT CAMPAIGN FOR ALPINE
 Following a positive outing at the season-opener of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) last month, Pierre Ragues has confirmed that he will take part in all rounds of the 2021 FIA R-GT ‘Coupe du Monde’ in the Alpine A110 Rally.
In a new challenge for the Caen-born driver, the five-event R-GT campaign will allow Pierre to continue his impressive form in the Michelin-equipped rally car, with which he finished fourth in Monte-Carlo alongside co-driver Julien Pesenti.
His performance at the prestigious Principality followed an impressive victory in the R-GT class at Monza at the end of last season, in his first-ever WRC event with Alpine. Pierre will now embark on a run of rally events which form the Coupe du Monde, including Rallye International Ain-Jura (France, 7-9 May), Rally di Roma Capitale (Italy 23-25 July), Renties Ypres Rally Belgium (13-15 August) and Rally RACC Catalunya (14-17 October).
All four of these events will be brand new for Pierre, while two of them also feature on the WRC calendar, giving him another chance - like in Monza and Monte-Carlo - to display his skills at the pinnacle of international rally. Pierre will continue to be supported by partners Racing Services, YACCO, First and Sparco, as well as representing Michelin as an ambassador.
While he will intensify his R-GT rally duties in 2021, Pierre will also be pursuing renewed opportunities in his core career of circuit racing. Eyeing up a 14th participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Pierre aims to show once again that he can successfully master a joint rally and race programme.
Pierre said: “I am delighted to have the chance to contest the complete Coupe du Monde R-GT season with four more rallies this season. I had a fantastic experience at Monte-Carlo, and Monza before that, working alongside Julien in the incredible Alpine A110 Rally car with Michelin tyres. Rallying has become an important part of my competitive career, alongside endurance racing, so to have the chance to act as an ambassador for Alpine in these events is special. It will be a fresh challenge but one I am ready to face with excitement and determination. We have been able to score some positive results in the car already and I know we have much more performance to give. I am grateful to my supporters: Racing Services, YACCO, First, Sparco and Michelin, for whom I am proud to be an ambassador. I look forward to rewarding their confidence with some more top results.”
2021 Coupe de Monde FIA R-GT Calendar
21-24 January Rallye Automobile de Monte-Carlo (4th place)
7-9 May Rallye International Ain-Jura
23-25 July Rally di Roma Capitale
13-15 August Renties Ypres Rally Belgium
14-17 October Rally RACC Catalunya
General classification after first round
1. Manu Guigou, 25 points
2. Raphaël Astier, 18 points
3. Cédric Robert, 15 points
4. Pierre Ragues, 12 points
5. Philippe Baffoun, 10 points
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