The third stage of the morning looked like it was a clean win for M-Sport’s Ott Tanak but Kris Meeke and Craig Breen, running further back on the road, had other ideas. The three went through the stage with identical times, bringing the total of drivers who won stages in the morning to five in an incredible feat.
Drivers suggested the stage wasn’t cleaning but was becoming rough and for several, punctures were an issue, including Elfyn Evans. Others were surprised by the changing levels of grip but ultimately, it was Tanak and the two Citroens who benefited.
Fourth-fastest, after the trio of winners, was Sebastien Ogier, just 1.2 seconds behind thanks to the lack of a cleaning effect. Fifth was Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville, who admitted to enjoying the stage more than the two previous ones.
In WRC2, Mikkelsen again was fastest, with Pontus Tidemund jumping two spots to second, ahead of Teemu Suninen.