SS11 - Meeke storms onwards

The second stage of the morning, the 26.31Km Marao test, was another that went the way of Kris Meeke. The Irishman took his second win on the day, admitting he was benefitting from his road position, running 10th on the road.

He was faster than second-placed Andreas Mikkelsen by more than eight seconds, the Norwegian responding to the brief from the team boss to increase the pace. He is chasing Dani Sordo’s Hyundai and took another two seconds back from the Spaniard in the stage.

Third fastest was Sebastien Ogier, complaining of losing time sweeping the road clean for the following drivers. Sordo was fourth fastest, maintaining his position behind Ogier but Mikkelsen closes to within 4.4 seconds of the Spaniard’s third place.

There was disappointment for the Hyundai team again, though, as Thierry Neuville stopped in the stage with his bonnet up, according to reports.