Adrien Fourmaux seized a Hyundai 1‑2 at Rally Italy Sardinia after a punishing opening loop that saw multiple punctures bite into the rally‑one field.
Fourmaux Claims Lead Amid Dust and Penalties
The Frenchman crossed the midday service line with a 4.6 s cushion over teammate Thierry Neuville. He began his advantage by taking the stage‑one win, pushing Neuville from seventh to second.
Dust settled on the Kirya‑Canti candidates, but the organisers’ decision to enforce four‑minute gaps lessened the impact, allowing Fourmaux to maintain the lead.
Ogier’s Puncture Puts Front‑End Competition on Edge
Sebastien Ogier briefly sat in front after winning stage two, but a front‑right puncture on the next drive erased more than 25 minutes. He recovered with the second‑fastest time on stage four, leaving him fifth overall.
Solberg Rebounds Despite Early Blip
Oliver Solberg, who opened the afternoon in third after a costly puncture, climbed back into the top four with a clean run through Monti di Ala, Sa Conchedda and Lerno. He finished the loop 8.1 s clear of the leaders, 16.8 s ahead of Evans.
Solberg said the stage felt like a “cleaning” day but praised the car’s stability. “We were cautious, but staying clean keeps us in contention for tomorrow,” he noted.
Other Competitors Grapple With Punctures
- Neuville’s stage win at Su Filigosu‑Lerno pushed him to second overall, remaining in the title race.
- Sami Pajari finished fourth, 10.7 s behind Fourmaux, having shown faster times on morning stages.
- Elfyn Evans, leading the Sardinia loop from the front, was fourth to sixth in early stages due to loose gravel; he remained firmly on title track.
- Several crews, including Dani Sordo, had lost minutes on mechanical issues.
The afternoon will feature a repeat of the trio of stages this morning, setting the stage for a decisive showdown.
With momentum on his side and the field still bunched, Fourmaux’s disciplined approach could be a decisive factor as the rally grips toward Saturday’s decisive stages.
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