SS5: Mikkelsen extends advantage
And leads at the end of day one
A third stage victory of the day has ensured Andreas Mikkelsen tops the Cyprus Rally leaderboard at the completion of day one of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier.
Driving a ŠKODA UK Motorsport Fabia Super 2000, Mikkelsen headed Nasser Al-Attiyah by 2.0s over the mixed-surface Salamiou 2 stage shown live on Eurosport, LTV and RTBF. The Norwegian’s overnight lead stands at 20.7s.
Al-Attiyah, the winner in Cyprus 12 months ago, lost precious seconds running wide on a left-hand bend in his M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000.
Freddy Loix, who was fourth quickest in his BFO-ŠKODA Rally Team Fabia, 9.6s slower than IRC title leader Jan Kopecký, suffered a spin. Karl Kruuda also spun avoiding striking a rock in his privateer Fabia.
A front-right puncture caused Mark Wallenwein further delay in his ŠKODA Auto Deutschland entry.
Crews are now heading to the overnight service halt in Pafos. The action resumes with the 14.82-kilometre Gialia stage on Saturday morning.