Mikkelsen praises Hanninen following Circuit defeat

Andreas Mikkelsen has praised Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally winner Juho Hänninen after the Finn’s success ensured Mikkelsen is still waiting to celebrate his first victory in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge on asphalt.

Hänninen and Mikkelsen fought out a thrilling battle for glory on the Armagh-based rally and were separated by a handful of seconds starting the final loop of four stages.

Unfortunately for Mikkelsen, an accident on the first Lisburn street stage left Hänninen in the clear for IRC victory number nine, while Mikkelsen had to settle for second place.

“Juho did a fantastic rally and made no mistakes – I bow and take my hat off to him,” said Mikkelsen, the defending IRC champion. “We had a chance to win, but we made a mistake and had to settle for second.

“The Circuit of Ireland is a rally I really wanted to win, as did the whole team, and we came so close after a good fight. It’s a shame not to win, but we scored a lot of points for finishing second and things continue to look good for the championship.”

Mikkelsen and his ŠKODA UK Motorsport team will be back in IRC action on next month’s Tour de Corse, while will enjoy extensive live television coverage on Eurosport.