If the morning lap at the Rally Portugal had more than one surprise in store, the afternoon lap started according to script. The riders who entered testing last on the 12.28 kilometer SS6 Lousa 2 had a very significant advantage over everyone else thanks to better grip. It is no coincidence that Sébastien Ogier achieved the best result.
The 8-time world champion stopped the clock in 8’53″3, beating his teammate and reigning world champion Kalle Rovanpera by 1″1. Both wanted to take a risk, that is, take only one spare tire. The choice brings disadvantages (with a double puncture you are forced to retire), but also advantages in terms of weight – therefore in potential time gained – compared to your rivals.
For the moment, the strategy of Toyota’s two part-time drivers is working very well. Ogier, thanks to this scratch, rose to third place in the general classification, while Kalle Rovanpera even took first place, becoming the new leader of the event with just 1 tenth of a margin over Takamoto Katsuta.
Toyota now has the hat-trick in hand, but the three official Hyundai i20 N Rally1s are just behind and the top 5 are within just 3 seconds and nine tenths. For now a very good race, on the razor’s edge in every test and with many changes at the top.
The next tests, however, will better outline the general classification and, considering the regulation that allows part-time riders to start from behind, Ogier and Rovanpera will have a huge advantage over everyone else.
Thierry Neuville continues to defend himself, but it was immediately clear that this afternoon it is much more difficult for him to remain in the top positions. The Belgian lost three in one go, but that’s natural. His starting position, always first, is the worst possible and the gaps after the morning lap were laughable. This favored seamless position changes.
Dani Sordo and Ott Tanak also resisted well, third and fourth respectively in the special but without the possibility of trying to slow down the progress of the official Toyota GR Yaris.
The only discordant note at Toyota remains Elfyn Evans. The Welshman still has the starting position advantage over Neuville, but continues to lose second after second to his rival. He now pays even 20 seconds behind the Belgian in the general classification. Truly an eternity, considering the few tests held so far.
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