Neuville took all the risks at Sanremo

After missing out on victory at Mecsek Rally from Hungary for eight tenths behind Jan Kopecky (Skoda), Thierry Neuville wins for the second time this season at the Sanremo Rally, beating Andreas Mikkelsen (Skoda) by 1??5. The Belgian was 16 seconds behind at the end of the first stage and scored four scratches the following day to take the lead of the event with a special stage to go.

The pilot Peugeot knew that he was going to have to take all the risks to compete for victory with the Skoda drivers. “I was not happy on Friday evening because I lost time in the night special (Ronde) after losing the brakes from attacking so hard”, explains the Belgian. “But I attacked again yesterday to try to get back on the leaders. I wasn't sure it was going to work but then I realized I could do it and I won on the wire. »

Thierry Neuville was on the limit in the final stage of the Sanremo Rally and knew he had his chance when leader Freddy Loix (Skoda) went off the road two stages from the finish. “We didn’t know how it was going to end until Freddy gave up”, specifies the Peugeot driver. “I was sometimes at the limit in certain corners. I didn't know if I should attack in the last special but Nicolas (Gisoul, his co-driver) told me that I had attacked throughout the weekend and that's what I continued to do. There are really good drivers in IRC and the gaps are tight every time. I am very happy with this victory and I hope it will not be the last. »

Find the report on the Sanremo Rally in the next issue of AUTOhebdo, on sale from Wednesday.