SS19: Evans in complete charge

With Sordo already cast adrift by Evans, the emphasis was more on survival on the re-run of Felgueiras to preserve the cars for an assault on the final Power Stage. The three stage-opening World Rally Cars were in virtual cruise control through the deceptively cambered special. 

Fourmaux stopped the clocks in 6min 07.7sec in his tussle for fifth place with Greensmith and managed to reduce the Briton’s lead to 5.2 seconds. Sordo reached the finish 0.2 seconds slower than the Frenchman, but Evans deprived the Ford driver of a first ever WRC stage win with his third quickest time of the morning. The Welshman takes an outright lead of 26.2 seconds into the final stage. 

Lappi continues to dominate WRC2 and Kajetanowicz had edged clear of Rossel in the battle for WRC3 supremacy before the stage.