SS3: Gerosa 2 (10.96 km)
For this second round of this special, conditions improved with a little humidity and less fog. As in the early morning, Sébastien Ogier sets the best time. This time he took 2”1 from Elfyn Evans who was nevertheless on a par with him on the first partial. Overall, his lead is now 5”6. Thierry Neuville found the right pace and conceded “only” 3”9 in this sector, but his overall delay exceeded 20 seconds over the leader. Nice fourth place for Olivier Solberg (+ 5”6) despite a big fright in the second part of the special more humid and tricky.
Adrien Fourmaux, with whom he was wrestling, was less fortunate. The M-Sport driver lost control of his Ford Fiesta in a double left turn, a kilometer before the finish. After tapping on the right rear, the car rolled over before ending up racing across the road, the front wheels on the crash barrier and the rear in the ravine.
Staggered specials for Greensmith, Katsuta, Suninen, and Rovanperä who are in that order in the general classification.
SS 2: Costa Valle Imagna (22.11 km)
The ambient morning humidity still made the road slippery and a layer of fog reduced visibility on part of the special. Very efficient on the descent towards the finish, Evans signed the scratch ahead of Ogier, who only gave up a tenth to his team-mate. The French therefore retains the first place overall with a 3”5 margin.
Behind, Neuville takes this time over Sordo and takes third place in the provisional classification. But the Belgian is already 16”8 from Ogier! Solberg once again signs the fifth performance, ahead of an Fourmaux who regrets having bet on soft tires. 1”9 separates the Swedish from the French overall.
SS1: Gerosa 1 (10.96 km)
Traced in the mountains of the Milanese hinterland in the early hours of the morning, this opening special takes place on a slightly wet road in places. As he had announced before the start, Sébastien Ogier decided to start strong and have fun, even if victory is not imperative for him. The Frenchman sets the best time in 6’42”8. His last rival for the title, Elfyn Evans, is just behind, at 3”6, but this is obviously not enough for the Welshman who must both win and hope for a mistake from his teammate.
The Hyundai de Sordo (6”2) and Neuville (8”2) are slightly behind. The only driver to have opted for a plume of soft (4) and hard (2) tires for this loop of four specials, while all the others are wearing hard tires, Adrien Fourmaux signs the 6th time, at 11”3, just behind the astonishing Oliver Solberg. As expected, Toyota asked Rovanperä to secure the constructors’ title and the Finn dropped 17”5 in this first time.