He touches it with his fingertips. After his impressive five-win season, while he is one step away from sixth place, Calle Rowanbera is eyeing what would be her first world title. With four stages and 31 timed kilometers to go in Rally New Zealand, The young Finn is one breath away from becoming the youngest champion in history. If you reach the pinnacle of victory and add 2 extra points in the power stage, the math gives you the crown.
The second scheduled day of protests dawned with an unexpected change of leader. Ott Tannock, who was first at the end of the first day, was given a 5 second penalty for excessive use of the power system, which automatically gave Elfin Evans the lead. Rowanbera was also penalized for the same reason but went on the attack and took the lead in the second special of a day dominated by heavy rain.
Evans took a hit that forced him to quit, and Thanak received another 10-second penalty that practically knocked him out. Rowanbera consolidated its leadership. Accompanied by Sébastien Ogier, who could play a fundamental role in the end of the title fight. Because if the classification is maintained in the short final stage, the Finn must be fourth in the final stage to mathematically secure the crown.
classification
1. Rovenpera-Halttunen (Fin/Toyota), 2h 28m 26.3s
2. Ogier-Veillas (Fra/Toyota), at 29.0
3. Thanak-Jarvioja (Est/Hyundai), at 46.4
4. Neuville-Wydaeghe (Bel/Hyundai), 1:41.4
5. Solberg-Edmonson (NOR/Hyundai), 3:34.9
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