SS7: Loix snatches lead in Sanremo
Mikkelsen 2.7s behind
Freddy Loix has snatched the lead of Rallye Sanremo by setting the fastest time on the 44-kilometre Ronde night stage.
The BFO-ŠKODA driver started the stage 4.5s adrift of Andreas Mikkelsen but a sensational performance has enabled him to vault in front of the ŠKODA UK pilot who had led from the day’s opening stage.
“It was really, really tough,” said Mikkelsen. “We were struggling in there but we could go a lot faster.”
Thierry Neuville was 5.4s behind leader Mikkelsen starting the stage but overheating brakes on his Team Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg 207 has dropped him 16.6s adrift of new first-place driver Loix.
Pierre Campana was 1.0s down on Loix after 30 kilometres but a right-rear puncture cost him valuable time. A puncture also slowed leading privateer Toni Gardemeister.
Giandomenico Basso suffered a brief off in his PROTON Motorsports’ Satria Neo S2000 after his car’s intercom failed and he was unable to hear the instructions from his navigator Mitia Dotta.
Estonian Karl Kruuda is reported to have gone off the road in his ŠKODA.
Overall positions after SS7