Croatia Rally – Neuville in control, Evans in ambush

Thierry Neuville produced a very clean copy during the morning loop this Friday at the Croatia Rally. The Belgian's main rival, Elfyn Evans, remains well placed behind.

Published on 19/04/2024 à 12:33

Gonzalo Forbes

⁰ View comments)

Croatia Rally – Neuville in control, Evans in ambush

Once the position favors the first in the starting order, Thierry Neuville didn't miss his chance. Leader of the championship, the driver Hyundai mastered his subject this Friday morning on the side of Rally from Croatia. In a busy loop with no less than four special stages, he practically achieved a flawless performance. In the end, the Belgian scored three scratches, the other going to Elfyn Evans.
The Welshman, runner-up to Thierry Neuville in the championship, tried to attack him and destabilize him but his rival always responded. When he set the best time of SS2, coming back to less than 5 seconds from the lead, Elfyn Evans saw his counterpart move forward, pushing him back to more than 8 seconds on the following special. At the end of the morning, the 2020 vice-champion returned to the attack in the fast SS4 of Platak, but lost once again, this time by two tenths.
As the lunch break begins, without returning to the service park, Thierry Neuville leads the proceedings with an 8" lead over Elfyn Evans. A margin which could have been greater if the Belgian had had better sensations behind the wheel of his i6. “ I can't attack, he pointed at the stop point. I have to be very delicate and very clean. I can't push, otherwise it won't work. I wish I could go faster! »
Back behind the wheel of the Yaris for the first time since Monte-Carlo last January, Sébastien Ogier tried as best he could to play up front but his position on the road did not help him against Thierry Neuville and Elfyn Evans. Sixth to go during each special this Friday morning, the eight-time champion was hampered by the dirt on the asphalt when he entered the game. Too tight to hope to compete for scratches even if he did not go far during SS4, the Gapençais held on to 3rd place overall, 21” from the lead. Overall, he said he was happy with his loop even if he regrets the choice of soft tires, definitely not the right one this Friday morning.
Adrien fourmaux, who is aiming for a third podium in a row in Croatia, did not tempt the devil who also bet on the softs. Very diligent, the Northerner M-Sport ensures its presence in the Top 5 just behind Ott Tänak on which he is 4"3 behind. In case of problempine of the Estonian this Friday afternoon, he could do well to climb the rankings.