Central Europe – Evans loses everything and offers Rovanperä the title on a platter

By making a mistake during the last special stage of the morning loop this Saturday, Elfyn Evans lost all hope in the title race. Royal road to Kalle Rovanperä.

Published 28/10/2023 à 12:03

Gonzalo Forbes

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Central Europe – Evans loses everything and offers Rovanperä the title on a platter

Kalle Rovanperä is not far from her second title. © Nikos Katikis / DPPI

  • Once again, Elfyn Evans cracked under pressure. If being titled was almost a miracle given his 31 points behind Kalle Rovanperä before the start of this Rally from Central Europe, the Welshman still wanted to believe it. For this, the Finn did not have to finish in front of him. It missed.
  • While the reigning world champion had a very solid day on Friday at the end of which he was more than 45 seconds ahead of him, Elfyn Evans put an end to his hopes this Saturday. In one turn everything changed for the man from Cardiff. During SS11, the last of the morning loop this Saturday, the driver Toyota missed braking on the wet asphalt and ended up crashing into a barn on the side of the road. End of hopes, if he still had any...

  • Informed as he was preparing to start the special, Kalle Rovanperä did not force himself and drastically eased off. He raised it so much that he lost 22 seconds during his time, creating panic among the commentators, worried about a possible mechanical problem. Nope. " I knew Elfyn had gotten out, so why take any more risks? he explained in complete relaxation. It's a shame for Elfyn and Scott, I hope they're okay. They fought well and it would have been very difficult for us to keep pushing. Being the last car on the road this morning was really tricky. Now the goal is a little different, we're just trying to finish. We had our moment of fear in the previous stage but we held on, let's try to finish now"
  • This tranquility of the Toyota driver did the business of Thierry Neuville who took the lead in the general classification of this Central European Rally. When the lunch break begins, the Belgian is 11” ahead of Kalle Rovanperä who will be content to reach the finish. Barring an incredible turnaround, the Finn will become a double world champion WRC this Sunday.
  • Ott Tänak took the opportunity to get on the podium but is almost 1'20 behind the leader. Sébastien Ogier is 5e at 2'16"3.

General classification after SS11

The restart is scheduled for 15:15 p.m. with SS12

Complete general ranking

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Gonzalo Forbes

In charge of promotion formulas (F2, F3, FRECA, F4...). Carried by the grace of Franco Colapinto.

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1 Comment (s)

DANIEL MEYERS

28/10/2023 at 01:42 a.m.

It’s really a shame Ogier’s behavior yesterday afternoon, he would be on the podium this Saturday noon.

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