SS2: Nasser wins stage, takes first place

Nasser Al-Attiyah is the new leader of the Cyprus Rally, the final round of the all-action 2012 Intercontinental Rally Challenge season, following a dramatic second stage of the mixed-surface event.

ŠKODA UK Motorsport’s overnight leader Andreas Mikkelsen, who cannot be caught in the battle for this year’s IRC title, dropped back when he stopped to change a right-rear puncture 10 kilometres into the 23.97-kilometre Koilinia test.

The Norwegian had been on top by 4.4s following Friday night’s Pafos Super Special Stage but now trails new leader and stage winner Al-Attiyah – in an M-Sport Ford Fiesta RRC – by 2m34.7s after his delay.

Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al-Rajhi, who was second fastest, climbs from sixth to move ahead of Jarkko Nikara into second overall although the Finn continues to top the IRC Production Cup battle in his Subaru Impreza R4 STI.

Elsewhere, Sepp Wiegand, representing ŠKODA Auto Deutschland, has moved ahead of Toshi Arai for fourth place. However, Marco Tempestini’s bid for the IRC Production Cup title has suffered a major setback after he dropped more than five minutes in his Subaru, while Andreas Aigner, another title contender, has yet to post a time for the stage.