ERC – Ricardo Moura surprise winner in Azores

Ricardo Moura (Ford Fiesta R5) wins the Rally of the Azores (Portugal) after taking the lead of the event with two stages to go.

Kajetan Kajetanowicz (Fiesta R5) was in the lead after the second stage, but the reigning champion's day was disrupted by transmission problems at the start of the stage. The Pole was only able to save a third place by finishing more than three minutes behind the winner.

Alexey Lukyanuk (Fiesta R5) looked headed for victory before experiencing turbo failure on SS14. Despite a good attack on the last two courses, the Russian failed 26 seconds behind the winner after also being the victim of a slow puncture in the last special.

David Botka (DS 3 R5) and Jaroslav Orsak (Fiesta R5) complete the top five ahead of Pedro Meireles (Skoda Fabia R5) and Luis Rego (Fiesta R5).

Discover the report of the Azores Rally in issue 2066 of AUTOhebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version on all platforms, and from Wednesday on newsstands.