Neuville happy with opening day charge

Thierry Neuville has described a feeling of satisfaction after completing the opening day of Rally Islas Canarias El Corte Inglés in second overall, 5.7s adrift of Jan Kopecký.

Driving a Team Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg 207 S2000 for Kronos Racing alongside new navigator Nicolas Gilsoul, Neuville impressed throughout Friday’s seven stages and shared the joint fastest time with his Škoda rival on stage four.

“I’m really, really happy with how today has been,” said the 22-year-old from Belgium. “The car is working very well and Nicolas and me also did a very good job for our first time together in this car. It’s also really nice to be on the pace with the fastest guys even if we are near to the limit for now.”