Fafe – Mikkelsen and Lukyanuk don’t let go of each other, Sordo loses big

Andreas Mikkelsen can take a breather, he will start the last day of the Rally of Fafe in Portugal as leader of the general classification after a lively Saturday on the road but also in difficult weather conditions. Manhandled for a long time by Dani Sordo in the first loop, the Norwegian took advantage of the Spaniard's puncture during SS5, the first of the afternoon, to get the machine back on track.

Scandola out @FIAERC @eWRCresults pic.twitter.com/Ux8wFavj5B

— Jatocan (@_jatocan) October 2, 2021

Having passed his main rival in the general classification, Andreas Mikkelsen attacked the last three special stages of the day as leader but under threat from Dani Sordo, relegated to only 7 tenths, but also from Alexey Lukyanuk, trailing by almost 6 seconds. Then began an intense three-way battle for first place in the Fafe Rally.

Second on SS6 behind Romanian Simone Tampestini, Andreas Mikkelsen saw Alexey Lukyanuk come back to a second during the following special. What foreshadows, an SS8, the final of the day, breathtaking as the fight for victory became tight between the two men while Dani Sordo let a few seconds slip away and found himself 10 from the lead.

Lukyanuk fastest!
He's now only 1.0' behind Mikkelsen! 🇷🇺🚀#FIAERC #RallyFafe pic.twitter.com/pJw9gTZsQQ

— European Rally Championship (@FIAERC) October 2, 2021

And during this last special, it was the Norwegian who had the last word on his two pursuers. Author of the scratch, his third of the day, the driver of the Skoda Fabia of Toksport was able to finish Saturday at the controls of the Fafe Rally with 4 ahead of Alexey Lukyanuk, victim of a puncture near the finish , before tackling 4 new ES this Sunday. Meanwhile, Dani Sordo lost very big as he was forced to stop and give up a lot of time on the leader due to a loss of direction and a road trip putting an end to his hopes of victory.

❌ Veníamos ya con problems. In the TC-8 we have one rotation in the direction, there is a consequence of this, soon after, it is safe.
-
❌ We already had some problems. The steering has broken in SS8, that's why, shortly after, we have finished out of the road.#HMSGOfficial pic.twitter.com/RnmaWqTFaN

— Dani Sordo (@DaniSordo) October 2, 2021

The first French representative in the standings, Yoann Bonato is in 8th place overall this Saturday evening, almost 3'20 behind Andreas Mikkelsen after suffering a puncture in SS8.