In a single day chief Ogier adopted a no threat strategy to Sunday morning’s three phases to guard his place. Because of this, the eight-time world champion’s 35.8s benefit decreased to 22.5s over Evans.
Evans nearly managed to carry off a charging Neuville, though the pair have been cut up by 2.7s heading into the ultimate stage.
Kalle Rovanpera remained in a lonely fourth, 1m50.8s adrift, however forward of Hyundai’s Dani Sordo by 2m54.1s, with Skoda’s Gus Greensmith the highest WRC2 runner in sixth total.
The ultimate day kicked off with a fourth move by means of the now=closely rutted Las Dunas superspecial, which as soon as once more supplied loads of motion.
M-Sport privateer Jourdan Serderidis clouted a rock whereas his returning team-mate Pierre Louis Loubet, who retired on Saturday, ran large and ploughed over a rocky embankment.
Hyundai’s Sordo additionally ran large at a right-hander and briefly stalled his i20 N. Fortunately, the trio all managed to succeed in the stage end comparatively unscathed.
The stage was gained by Neuville because the Belgian claimed his fifth fastest-time of the occasion to this point, nibbling one other 0.2s out of Evans within the battle for second. The hole decreased to 4.1s.
Chief Ogier elected to not take any dangers with the ruts to cruise by means of 3.8s adrift of pacesetter Neuville.
Crews headed to the longest stage of the rally subsequent, a 35.63km run by means of Otates that featured sections from Saturday’s El Mosquito check, which meant grip ranges would differ.
Whereas many drivers elected for a measured strategy, Evans and Neuville have been on most assault because the battle over second continued.
Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Photograph by: Toyota Racing
It was Evans who gained that battle, claiming his first stage win of the rally at an important second. The Welshman managed to edge Neuville throughout the entire splits, earlier than ending 1.7s sooner than his rival to open up a 5.8s buffer.
“It is arduous work!. It was very slippery and actually arduous to guage. It seems like we did not achieve this dangerous,” stated Evans.
Ogier described his run as a “zero threat” effort and dropped 9.0s within the course of as he prevented being caught out by the slippery sections of the stage.
The Rally1 subject navigated the stage efficiently, though Tanak reached the end with a damper downside.
Nevertheless, a prolonged stoppage for WRC2 driver Adrien Fourmaux, to vary an alternator belt, promoted Tanak into the ultimate factors paying positions in tenth.
The battle for second total took one other twist within the remaining stage of the morning. Neuville claimed stage 22 with a 1.5s margin over Tanak, however extra importantly he took 3.1s from Evans, who misplaced time after working large on the first nook.
Neuville additionally revealed that Evans’ GR Yaris was carrying a suspension downside picked up from the earlier stage.
“I proceed pushing. We cannot quit. Elfyn has been fixing his automotive – he touched one thing and broken his suspension within the earlier stage,” stated Neuville after bringing the hole to second right down to 2.7s. “He’s going to need to be courageous to go flat out and threat the whole lot.”
In WRC2, Greensmith protected his lead whereas Emil Lindholm and Oliver Solberg inherited second and third respectively, after Fourmaux surrendered second following his situation in stage 22.
The El Brinco powerstage will conclude the rally later at present.
