Ypres - SS16: Freddy Loix remains firmly in control

After SS14: Kopecký trims Loix’s advantage

Jan Kopecký has trimmed Freddy Loix’s lead on the Geko Ypres Rally to 25.1 seconds after winning the Proven-Vieteren stage.

Kopecký beat his Škoda Motorsport team-mate over the 14.80-kilometre run by three seconds for his fifth stage victory of the event.

Loix had complained of a small braking problem but said the fitting of new brake pads had rectified the fault after completing the run.

Peugeot Sport Portugal’s Bruno Magalhães has moved ahead of Michał Sołowow into seventh.

After SS15: Loix ends Kopecký’s winning run

Freddy Loix has ended Jan Kopecký’s sequence of stage wins after a dramatic 15th stage of the Geko Ypres Rally. The Belgian encountered a member of the event’s safety team riding a motorbike during the run, while Kopecký went off into a field and lost almost five seconds to his rival, who now leads by 29.6 seconds.

Several drivers reported a slippery stage surface with Belgian veteran Patrick Snijers admitting to almost going off the road into a ditch. His delay has enabled the flying Bruno Magalhães to close to within 29.7s of sixth place. The Peugeot Sport Portugal driver is trying to make up for the 1m10s of time penalties he received for leaving service late on two occasions.

After SS16: Loix on top again in Ypres

Freddy Loix remains firmly in control of the Geko Ypres Rally by going fastest of all on stage 16 of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier. The Belgian, a five-time winner of the demanding asphalt event, edged Jan Kopecký, in a similar factory Škoda Fabia, by three-tenths of a second to extend his margin up front to 29.9s.

Thierry Neuville is still third in his Team Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg 207 despite damaging a wheel close to the end of the stage.

Crews are now making their way back to service in Ypres before the final loop of three stages later this evening.

Overall positions after SS16: