It took until nearly 11 p.m. for officials to meet and finalize the results. In downtown Mahajanga, the roar of engines and the sound of backfiring echoed through the evening as a large crowd gathered on the avenue.
The four special stages of this first leg were marked by a battle of titans among the top five drivers. The crew of Mathieu Andrianjafy and Nathanael Young, driving a Subaru Impreza, ultimately took a narrow lead after the first leg of the 19th Boeny Rally, which serves as the third round of the Madagascar Championship. The duo, winners of the first two national rounds, recorded a cumulative time of 16:05.8, just one-hundredth of a second ahead of Frédéric Rabekoto and Andry Tahina Rakotomalala Andrianjafy in their Mitsubishi Yas (16:05.9).
Mathieu set the fastest time in ES3 Antsanitia-Matsabory 1 (10.50 km) with 4:22.6, ahead of Olivier Ramiandrisoa (4:25.4) and Aro Kiady Rajemison (4:25.5).
The duo of Frédéric Rabekoto and Andry Tahina Rakotomalala Andrianjafy started the race strongly by setting the fastest time on the city circuit, the first 800-meter special stage (0:55.3). Fred also secured the fastest time in ES4 Matsabory-Ampitolova Puit (5:40.1), finishing ahead of Olivier and Mathieu.
Olivier Ramiandrisoa and Ny Anjara Rajaonalisoa currently sit in third place (16:07.4). Driving a Mitsubishi Evo X, Olivier set the best time in ES2 Ampitolova-Antsanitia 1 (10.50 km) with 4:59.2. Aro Kiady, in a Subaru STI R4, holds fourth place, while the father-daughter team of Tahina and Fitia Razafinjoelina, driving a Subaru, occupies the fifth position.
Five special stages are scheduled for the second day this Friday, starting with ES5 Vitogaz-Matsabory A at 9:22 a.m.
Captured & Published at: 2026-08-14 05:39:23 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/08/19e-rallye-du-boeny-mathieu-mene-sur-le.html