Asturias: Basso-Kopecky duel

The only Abarth remaining on the track in Asturias finds itself at the top of the list (Miguel Fuster having retired after going off the road). After the first stage, comprising nine special stages (eight contested), Giandomenico Basso (Abarth Grande Punto S2000) dominates the standings. Rally Principle of Asturias. However, it was only at the end of the day that the Italian took first position, most of the first stages having been dominated by the surprising local driver, Alberto Hevia (Skoda Fabia S2000). At the evening of the first day, the Spaniard was in second position and, after the first special of the second stage, was overtaken by Jan Kopecky (Skoda Fabia S2000), who could well take control of the IRC at the end of the Rally.

On the side of the pilots Peugeot 207 S2000, the results are much less good than expected. At the end of the first day, Nicolas Vouilloz, Freddy Loix and Kris Meeke had already lost hope of winning, barring a major incident among the first three. The Briton, leader of the IRC, lost three minutes on SS4, after going off the track which caused him a puncture and a wheel change. Freddy Loix and Nicolas Vouilloz were then victims of the same incident, the lower axle of the suspension piercing the rim and causing a wheel change.

At the end of SS10, the first special stage of the day, there are only five special stages remaining, including two long sections (21,37 km). Giandomenico Basso seems on the right track to win but Jan Kopecky, second only twelve seconds behind, will want to take as many points as possible with a view to the championship. Seventh, Kris Meeke will try to climb as high as possible but risks losing big points this weekend.