Friday’s final stage of Ypres Rally, Zonebeke 2, has been canceled on safety grounds, bringing the first leg of World Rally Championship action in Belgium to an early close.
Competitors therefore transited the 5.87-mile stage at non-competitive speeds and returned to overnight service before eight more stages on Saturday.
Thierry Neuville leads the event by 7.6 seconds over Hyundai team-mate Craig Breen after the seven complete stages.
“At the end we were able to grab seven seconds on three stages which is not too bad,” said Neuville.
“Unfortunately the last stage was canceled but we could see a huge amount of spectators out there, a great atmosphere. I would have loved to do this stage in front of all those fans cheering for us out there.
“They have to respect the rules.
“Most of them probably did as well, but there were probably a few that weren’t in the safe places. Unfortunately the stage had to be canceled, which probably is also the good decision.
“I was just waiting for that last stage, I like that stage.”
Ott Tänak has ensured an overnight Hyundai 1-2-3 in third despite an engine issue, but has Kalle Rovanperä’s Toyota close for company, just 1.4s further back.
Elfyn Evans is fifth with WRC points leader Sébastien Ogier sixth, 39.4s down on leader Neuville.
