WRC

Ogier resists Neuville in Sardinia

Before the last stage of the Rally Italy, Sébastien Ogier and Thierry Neuville are only separated by 3"9. The fight promises to be royal tomorrow.

Published on 09/06/2018 à 18:57

Pierre Tassel

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Ogier resists Neuville in Sardinia

The suspense remains intact on all levels at Rally from Italy to Sardinia. At the end of the second real stage of the island round, all eyes are however logically turned towards the fight for victory. Sébastien Ogier (M-Sport Ford) and Thierry Neuville (Hyundai).

The two rivals designated for the world title returned blow for blow this Saturday afternoon, after Neuville returned to 2″9 before the second loop of the day, taking advantage in particular of Ogier's stalling at the start of SS13.

The Frenchman, however, found the rhythm again, particularly in SS14, setting the best time when Neuville suffered a puncture in the last four kilometers. The gap then went back to 6″8 before Neuville signed the last two scratches in the long ES of Monti di Ala' and Monte Lerno, all without a spare wheel.

Tonight, the gap between the two rivals remains 3″9 before the final four Sunday specials.

Latvala on reprieve?

Le suspense est également présent pour la dernière place du podium entre Jari-Matti Latvala et Esapekka Lappi (Toyota). Le premier cité, au prix d’une grosse attaque dans l’ES16 a réussi à maintenir un écart de 5″3 sur Lappi, mais a rencontré un souci technique en fin de journée, le contraignant à s’arrêter sur la liaison vers le parc d’assistance.

 

 

Another fight that promises tomorrow: the duel between Hayden Paddon (Hyundai), 5th overall, and Mads Ostberg (Citroën). The Norwegian driver came back to 2″1 behind the New Zealander.

Craig Breen (Citroën), on the other hand, is alone in seventh position and ahead of Jan Kopecky (Skoda Fabia R5), leader in WRC2, Ott Tänak (Toyota), victim of a puncture in SS16, and Martin Prokop (Ford Fiesta WRC).

Nicolas Ciamin (Hyundai i20 R5) and Ole Christian Veiby (Skoda Fabia R5) complete the provisional podium in WRC2, Veiby having benefited from the setbacks of Takamoto Katsuta (Ford Fiesta R5) in the final timed sector of the day.

Jean-Baptiste Franceschi (Ford Fiesta R2) dominates the WRC3. The final stage of the Rally Italy will begin tomorrow at 8:45 a.m., and can be followed live and in full on our website, via our live text.

 

 

Rally Italy standings

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