Monte-Carlo: Tänak in the picture, Evans leading at the Friday lunch break

Only five special stages were contested in the 2020 World Rally Championship season, yet followers witnessed one of the great shocking images of the year. During SS4, launched at 180 km/h, Ott Tänak and Martin Jarveoja (Hyundai) sont partis dans le décor :

Huh huh! Tänakin ulosajo oli tosiaan raju! #rally #mmralli #WRC #rally pic.twitter.com/HA4F7LBpJ5

— Tomi Tuominen (@T_Tuominen) January 24, 2020

The reigning world champion crew was taken to hospital for a routine medical check-up. It is obviously the abandonment for the duo, first leader of Monte-Carlo on Thursday evening.

not good
@RaitsKv pic.twitter.com/eryH0EUnHd

— Ken Järveoja (@jarveoja) January 24, 2020

Nullement perturbé par cet accident, Elfyn Evans (Toyota) est progressivement monté en puissance. The Welshman, who won two fastest times, finished the Friday morning loop in the lead. 

Cependant, l’ancien espoir M-Sport ne compte qu’une pognée de secondes d’avance sur les duettistes Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) and Sébastien Ogier (Toyota). The latter proves that he has already found the instructions for his new mount. 

Co-record holder for victories in the Monte-Carlo, Sébastien Loeb (Hyundai) sails alone at the foot of the podium. “Honestly, we are going at a good pace, the Alsatian was satisfied. It's not yet enough to set the best times but starting 7th on the road, we would really have to take big risks to get the last seconds. »

In addition to Ott Tänak, Gus Greensmith (Ford) also retired, following a curious accident on ice: 

#WRC Greensmith mistake in SS3 #RallyMonteCarlo
Info & results https://t.co/5zbaQSD3ak pic.twitter.com/Va3eeYXGax

— Planetemarcus (@planetemarcus) January 24, 2020

In the M-Sport clan, only Esapekka Lappi survives, ahead of debutant Kalle Rovanperä (Toyota). At only 19 years old, the Finn has made no mistakes but lacks sharpness.

En WRC 2, only one man escaped without problems: Ole Christian Veiby (Hyundai). The Norwegian largely dominates the ranking thanks to a puncture from his compatriot Mads Ostberg (Citroën) while the French Adrien fourmaux (Ford) is chasing lost time Thursday evening (puncture).

the WRC 3 category gives pride of place to the French. Eric Camilli (Citroën) even tickles Takamoto Katsuta’s Toyota Yaris WRC! The Tricolore fought a good battle with track rider Stéphane Sarrazin (Hyundai) until the latter lost two minutes in the last morning SS (puncture).

The afternoon loop will start at 13:54 p.m. with three stages.

General classification after SS5: