Sanremo: Duel between the Skoda leaders?

Jan Kopecky made a strong impression by winning consecutively at the Barum Rally and the Mecsek Rally. The Czech won his last victory by extreme narrowness, since he only had an eight-tenths lead over Thierry Neuville (Peugeot ) at the finish, but this performance gave him the leadership position in the Championship ahead of his teammate Freddy Loix, last winner in the Rally from Ypres.

The two leaders of the discipline hope to shine this weekend at the Sanremo Rally in order to get closer to the title, with only three events remaining this season. But Jan Kopecky is nevertheless apprehensive about the Italian stages, in which he will feel less comfortable. “Sanremo is a big challenge for me, I didn’t shine there last year”, remembers the Czech. “The roads are beautiful, quite technical, slower than in Hungary and the notes are more difficult to take. We are prepared to do what we can to maintain our position. »

His rival Freddy Loix also intends to achieve a good result in Italy in order to protect himself from Juho Hänninen, who will be absent at Sanremo. The Belgian can even claim first place in the Championship in the event of a hard blow from the Czech who is still ahead of him by 17 units. “After a particularly fast Hungarian Rally, I am happy to return to a more technical event at Sanremo”, admits the Skoda driver. ?I need a good result if I want to stay in contact with the leader in IRC before the last two events of the season where the coefficient will be more important. »