Zoom Duval takes the advantage over Vouilloz

The 25 kilometres of the Ourique 1 stage were the occasion for François Duval to display his know-how, setting a fastest time of 15:47.0 at the controls of his Fiat Grande Punto. The official Abarth drivers came next: Anton Alen, who restarted this morning under SupeRally rules, was 5.7 seconds away while Giandomenico Basso took third place a mere 00:00.1 close.

Bruno Magalhaes was the quickest of the Peugeot drivers. His 207 S2000 claimed fourth position on this stage, ahead of those driven by Jan Kopecky, Luca Rossetti and Nicolas Vouilloz, with the latter recording a running time 15 seconds longer than stage winner Duval.

It is becoming evident that the rally leaders are suffering from their starting positions which force them to open up and sweep the roads this morning. That has worked in Duval's favour as his positioning in the overall rankings has gotten better while Vouilloz lost ground.

Armindo Araujo returned his Mitsubishi Lancer to the trails this morning after retiring yesterday. "The turbo problems still continue," he reported. "The car doesn't go as I which."

Brice Tirabassi went off-road and was not able to get his Peugeot back underway.

Luca Rossetti's overall lead has shrunk from 18.4 to 9.3 seconds at present, with François Duval now taking second place, 12 seconds ahead of Nicolas Vouilloz who slips down one notch to third position. Jan Kopecky remains fourth. Didier Auriol holds on to fifth place but now has over a minute's gap on the rally leader.

Daniel BASTIEN
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