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Thierry Neuville and his co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe (Hyundai i20) are in third place in the general classification of the Finland Rally on Friday afternoon, the ninth of thirteen World Championship rounds.
Halfway through the second day, the Belgian duo follows 12.3 seconds behind the Finnish leader Kalle Rovanperä, who leads his teammate at Toyota, the Welshman Elfyn Evans, by 3.9 seconds. Neuville has finished in the top five in every special stage, but he hasn’t been able to do better than Thursday evening’s second place. On Friday, our compatriot set the fifth, third, fifth and fourth fastest time respectively. The Estonian Ott Tänak (Ford), leader of the classification on the first day, had to retire during the third stage due to engine problems after a collision.
The Japanese Takamoto Katsuta (Toyota) won the second special stage in Laukaa (11.78 km). The Finnish world champion and World Cup leader Kalle Rovanperä (Toyota Yaris) dominated the next three stages. Five more special stages will follow on the second day of the World Cup round in Finland.
A second round of five tests is scheduled for Friday. On Saturday, two rounds of four stages await the drivers, amounting to a total of 160.68 km. The rally ends on Sunday with the final four stages involving the Power Stage.