WRC

Neuville builds early Croatia lead after SS4

By Adam Hall

23 Apr 2021

Early break for Neuville

Hyundai's Thierry Neuville holds a 7.3s lead over Elfyn Evans after Rally Croatia's Friday morning stages. Two stage wins created a healthy gap before Evans and Ogier shared an SS3 win. Ott Tanak hasn't matched his rivals' pace, 25.3s behind.

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Overall after SS4

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1. Neuville / Wydaeghe 2. Evans / Martin 3. Ogier / Ingrassia 4. Tanak / Jarveoja 5. Breen / Nagle 6. Fourmaux / Jamoul

27:47.9s +7.3 +12.3 +25.3 +33.4 +44.4

Ostberg is back

After missing the opening WRC 2 rounds Mads Ostberg has wasted no time in his title retaining bid. Teemu Suninen had been his nearest challenger before sliding off the road on SS4. Suninen just about recovered the car to finish the stage.

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WRC 2 after SS4

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1. Ostberg / Eriksen 2. Gryazin / Aleksandrov 3. Suninen / Markkula 4. Bulacia / Ohannesian 5. Kristensson / Arhus

29:29.4s +8.8 +45.3 +47.9 +48.3

Mishaps and moments

Kalle Rovanpera slid wide on a SS1 right-hander, dropping off the road. The same corner almost claimed Toyota team-mate, Sebastien Ogier. Andreas Mikkelsen broke a suspension arm on SS2 but fixed the damage to complete the loop.

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Remaining Friday stages

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Stage 5 Rude - Plešivica 6 Kostanjevac - Petruš Vrh 7 Jaškovo - Mali Modruš Potok 8 Pećurkovo Brdo - Mrežnički Novaki

UK time 14:01 14:54 15:57 17:00

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