Finland’s Kalle Rovanpera thrilled home fans by taking the lead in the Rally of Finland on Friday, dominating the treacherous forest trails during the second day of racing. The two-time world champion won three of the day’s nine gravel stages, finishing 4.9 seconds ahead of reigning world champion Thierry Neuville of Hyundai.
French driver Adrien Fourmaux sits third overall, 7.7 seconds behind Rovanpera, while Japan’s Takamoto Katsuta and Finland’s Sami Pajari, both in Toyotas, round out the top five. Eight-time world champion Sébastien Ogier of France is sixth, trailing by nearly 20 seconds.
Thursday’s super special stage had seen Estonia’s Ott Tänak grab an early lead, but the current championship leader faced difficulties on Friday. Tasked with opening the road, Tänak lost over a minute and dropped to eighth.
With over 130 kilometers still to be raced across eight special stages on Saturday and two final stages on Sunday’s 24km course, the ninth round of the World Rally Championship remains wide open.
Written By Rodney Mbua
