In Deidenberg, Thierry Neuville's fan club is already celebrating before the Power Stage

We did not have to wait for the outcome of the final special stage of Rally from Japan – this famous Power Stage where the fastest gets 5 extra points  – to know who of Thierry Neuville ou Ott Tänak would be world champion in 2024.

"Thanks" to the Estonian's crash in the first timed section on Sunday, the Belgian was assured of the world title. Also, the atmosphere was already very festive at 5:00 in the morning in the hall 'Zum Tünnesse (the name of the village clown, star of the carnival) in Deidenberg.

"We were hoping for 500 people for the Power Stage screening on a giant screen and I have the impression that they are there, smiled Mike Moutschen, the President of the very official Thierry Neuville Supporters Club. "I think some of you came to join us as soon as you heard that our local hero was assured of the title. On our side, the thirty volunteers who contributed to the success of our little party were able to get out their t-shirts and brandish the banners that we had hidden. What an atmosphere in the room. There was shouting, there was honking. I admit that I couldn't hold back a tear when I saw that Tänak was forced to withdraw. We've been waiting for this historic moment for so long. Now we're going to savour it."

For the record, the organizers had planned for 14 50-liter barrels of beer. But the local supplier was on alert. If, in the morning, the consumption calculation turned out to be pessimistic and some supporters were on the verge of running out of juice, he was ready to intervene so that the hoppy libations would last until 13:00 p.m., the official closing time of the doors.

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