Perfect day for Ogier (Toyota) who brings the margin over his opponents to 20 seconds. World champion Rovanpera (Toyota) loses 2nd position to Neuville (Hyundai)
Giulio Martina
October 22
– Milan
Conditions similar to the circuits on the roads of the Rally Catalunya 2022, the penultimate round of the WRC World Championship: perfectly dry and almost completely clean asphalts allowed the drivers to push to the maximum even on this second day of competition. The qualities of eight-time world rally champion Sebastien Ogier emerged strongly during the Catalan Saturday and on the eve of the last stage, it seems that the victory is now in his hands. Positive Day 2 also for Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) able to overtake world champion Kalle Rovanpera (Toyota) in second place.
rally spain, ogier on the run
–
After finishing in the lead on Friday, Ogier takes off in the 7 specials scheduled today. An incredible feeling with his Yaris and an unapproachable consistency of performance for his rivals allow him to build an advantage of more than 20 seconds at the top of the standings, winning half of the day’s tests. Good day also for Neuville who improves his performance behind the wheel of the i20 and bypasses a prudent Rovanpera in special 13, the second step on the spectacular El Montmell. Just over a second separates the two in the fight for second place. In difficulty Estonian Tanak (Hyundai) far from the pace of the best and more than half a minute behind the leader.
rally spain, greensmith accident
–
The first step on the aforementioned El Montmell was neutralized due to the violent crash that saw the British Greensmith as protagonist. His Ford Puma crashed into a guardrail, unsaddling the left front. Machine that blocked the roadway, forcing the suspension of the test. In the afternoon, an extraordinary performance by the host Sordo (Hyundai) capable of inflicting heavy gaps even to the top drivers: 5 seconds in Neuville and Ogier, over 10 seconds in Rovanpera. The Spaniard closed the day fifth, with about ten seconds on the disappointing Evans (Toyota) and on the first of the Fords, that of Breen. Top 10 completed by Katsuta (Toyota) and the Puma of Fourmaux and Loubet. Finnish Suninen (Hyundai) leads the WRC2 class, ahead of Rossel (Citroen) and Gryazin (Skoda).
rally spain, standings
–
Four specials on the menu on the last day. Two passages on the tests of Pratdip (12km) and Riudecanyes (16km), the latter site of the final special and valid as a power stage. Both passages will be live on Sky Sport (8 and 12 hours). The provisional ranking:
- Ogier (Toyota) 2h10’18”5
- Neuville (Hyundai) +20 “7
- Rovanpera (Toyota) +22 “1
- Tanak (Hyudai) +36 “6
- Sordo (Hyundai) + 1’13 “2
October 22, 2022 – 20:36
© REPRODUCTION RESERVED