Tonight is the 1st stage in Estonia, over 1.64 km in Tartu. There are a total of 24 rides on the fast gravel roads until Sunday, for a total of 324 km.
Our compatriot Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20) wants to recover in Estonia after his retirement last month in Kenya, when he was in the lead there. The Oostkantonner is third in the World Cup standings with 77 points. French World Cup leader Sebastien Ogier (Toyota Yaris) has 133 points, his first pursuer is Welshman Elfyn Evans (Toyota Yaris) with 99 points. Estonian Ott Tänak (Hyundai i20), who will undoubtedly be motivated in his own country, is fourth in the World Cup standings.
The Toyotas have won the last 4 World Cup rallies and 5 of the 6 rallies in 2021. In recent months, they have shown themselves especially more reliable than the Hyundais. Suspension problems have robbed Neuville and Tänak of victory in the past three rallies.
“The Estonia Rally is a pretty fast rally, with wide roads and a lot of jumps,” Neuville looked ahead. “It will be a big challenge for us. With a few minor adjustments and advice from Ott, we hope to be faster, as we showed earlier this season.”
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