FRENCHMAN Patrick Bernardini held off a spirited fight back by German favourite Armin Schwarz to retain his Monte Carlo Rally lead yesterday. Despite clocking the best time in five of the second day's six timed stages, Toyota driver Schwarz gained only one minute on the surprise leader.

Another Frenchman, Francois Delecour, was slowed down by mechanical trouble in his Peugeot .306. He remained second overall, but dropped to two minutes 31 seconds behind. Schwarz stayed third, three minutes 56 seconds behind Bernardini's Ford Escort with seven stages left before the winter classic ends tomorrow.