Matt Hall soars to victory over French Riveria in new racer as Air Race series debuts in Cannes | photos, video

The Australian had revealed before the series debut in France that he was expecting big things from his re-fitted racer, but his fifth first place result was beyond expectations.

“Today was an awesome day, the venue is amazing, and this is just as exciting as my first win ever,” Hall said.

“We have known since we did our first training run on Friday that we had a good setup on this plane and it is back to where we wanted it after a re-branding error caused it to be a little off balance at the first race of the season [Abu Dhabi in February].”

Before the race proper, the qualifying was as close as it gets – Hall laid down what spectators described as a “near-untouchable lap time”, but still placed third by one-tenth of a second.

Hall then spoiled chances for French hopeful François Le Vot as he knocked him out in the Round of 14, before taking down Canada’s Pete McLeod for a chance against Dolderer, reigning world champion Yoshihide Muroya of Japan and, after Czech pilot Martin Šonka was disqualified, America’s Michael Goulian.

He now moves two points clear of Muroya, and sits just three behind Goulian on the overall ladder.

“I think it is going to be a great year,” Hall said.

Hall will now look to consolidate his position in the third race of the championship series: the Japanese leg held in Chiba on May 26-27.