SS14 Kruklanki 1 (19,58 km) is underway.

In WRC-2, Pontus Tidemand (Skoda Fabia R5) sets the provisional best time by six tenths ahead of Ole Christian Veiby (Skoda Fabia R5). Quentin Gilbert (Skoda Fabia R5) climbs into third position at 11″6. Eric Camilli (Ford Fiesta R5), transparent in the championship, suffered a puncture, and lost almost a minute and a half. Pierre-Louis Loubet (Ford Fiesta R5) concluded the SS with his left-rear suspension damaged.

Gorban (Mini) sets a new benchmark time in the WRC Trophy, more than 30″ ahead of Raoux and Serderidis (DS3 WRC).

In the general classification, Ott Tänak (Ford) remains in the lead of the Rally Poland with a 3″ lead over Thierry Neuville (Hyundai). Jari-Matti Latvala (Toyota) loses a little time on the leading duo and is 1″9 behind.

Hayden Paddon, author of the best time in this SS13, is still in 4th place, but now precedes his teammate Dani Sordo, who overtook Sébastien Ogier (Ford) at the end of this special. The Frenchman is 5″6 behind the Spaniard.

Teemu Suninen (Ford) follows in seventh position, but is now ahead of Stéphane Lefebvre (Citroën) and Mads Ostberg (Ford), who have taken the advantage over Juho Hänninen (Toyota).

Hayden Paddon (Hyundai) is heading towards the best time since Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) fails to improve his teammate's time and falls short at 1″4. “I lost time on the previous stage with a scare where Mikkelsen went out. Here, I attacked well, but the road becomes more and more dirty and slippery on the asphalt portion. »

Ott Tänak (Ford) fails 1″8 behind Paddon. “It was good, but the road is becoming very soft. It is difficult to find the right line. »

9th provisional time for Sébastien Ogier (Ford), who gives up 13″4 on Paddon. The Frenchman also gives more explanations on the problems encountered this morning in Poland. “We were unlucky. We had a slow puncture in the first SS, then another after 1 km in the next one. Then, 1 km before the end, when the tire was off the rim, I went out and hit something and lost even more. The car is not great. The front bumper is missing and removed and a lot of downforce. »

Hayden Paddon (Hyundai) sets the provisional best time in 7’24″1. “A better day, with better conditions. »

Sébastien Ogier (Ford), after his problems in SS12, is losing time in the partial.

If Dani Sordo (Hyundai) is not really disappointed, but rather surprised, at the end of this SS, the Spaniard concedes 4″9 on Lefebvre.

Teemu Suninen (Ford) finished in 7’35″0, 9″ behind Lefebvre. “Not happy with our time. It depends on small things that I hope to resolve by the afternoon. »

Note that Andolfi's accident in SS12 blocked the Junior WRC competitors. Times will be established accordingly.

Our crews were held up with Andolfi’s accident in SS12 so the times will be adjusted.

— Junior WRC (@JuniorWRC) July 1, 2017

2”6 behind Mads Ostberg (Ford) at the end of this special on Andreas Mikkelsen’s provisional reference time. The Norwegian saw Stéphane Lefebvre (Citroën) immediately set the provisional best time in 7’26″0. The Frenchman now has a 5″7 lead over Ostberg overall.

Elfyn Evans (Ford) comes within 1″3 of Mikkelsen’s time (Citroën). “It’s a little easier today but there are still slippery areas and that can be surprising. »

Andreas Mikkelsen (Citroën) lowers Craig Breen’s benchmark to 7’26″7, 3″6 better than the Irishman. “A clean run,” admits the Norwegian. We've made some changes and it's getting better and better. The stage is completely dry and there is a lot of sweeping. »

“A few silly little mistakes at the intersections, but it’s nice to have some consistency again,” emphasizes Breen. It’s a good base to work from. We changed a lot of things on the car at the service last night and it's working well today. »

This relatively short 14,75 km ES was completed in 7’30”3 by Craig Breen (Citroën).

The rally is approaching Russia in this SS13.

Goldap (SS13) passes close to Poland’s border with Russia #RallyPoland #WRC pic.twitter.com/iktTlJy6Tg

— Michelin Motorsport (@Michelin_Sport) July 1, 2017