News Flash - END day 3
In Ypres, it is common to witness last minute twists. This year, with a final day was planned around the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps rather than in Flanders, and the home fans got the result they wanted. Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe won their first rally together and Hyundai scored a magnificent 1-2
Apart from Loubet's puncture on the final special, the drivers were aiming to conserve their positions. Hyundai made sure to secure a magnificent double podium with Neuville and Wydaeghe showing plenty of emotion on the first win together. The ensuring donuts delighted the fans. Craig Breen perfectly fulfilled his role by managing his second position until the end.
It is of noted that Sébastien Ogier confirmed he did not expect such a difficult rally, one where he lost points to his title rivals, finishing fifth. The first Toyota classified was that of Kalle Rovanperä, who climbed on the final podium step. Without a doubt the young Finn is the surprised with pace in this Renties Ypres Rally Belgium. We know that tarmac is rarely the speciality of a Finnish ace but he showed his ware on this most specialised of events.
A great event, a fine winner, who clearly dominated his art, and absolutely a winning first edition for Belgium in the WRC.
Stages Winners
|
SS |
Stage |
Dist |
Scratch |
Time |
Leader |
|
Friday 13.08.2021 |
|||||
|
SS1 |
Reninge - Vleteren 1 |
15.00 km |
Tänak 1 |
7’49"1 |
Tänak |
|
SS2 |
Westouter – Boeschepe 1 |
19.12 km |
Breen 1 |
1’35”3 |
Breen |
|
SS3 |
Kemmelberg 1 |
23.62 km |
Breen 2 |
11’39"7 |
Breen |
|
SS4 |
Zonnebeke 1 |
9.45 km |
Neuville 1 |
4’34”0 |
Neuville |
|
SS5 |
Reninge - Vleteren 2 |
15.00 km |
Neuville 2 |
7’49”0 |
Neuville |
|
SS6 |
Westouter – Boeschepe 2 |
19.12 km |
Neuville 3 |
10’27"0 |
Neuville |
|
SS7 |
Kemmelberg 2 |
23.62 km |
Neuville 4 |
11’28"8 |
Neuville |
|
SS8 |
Zonnebeke 2 |
9.45 km |
Cancelled |
Cancelled |
Neuville |
|
Saturday 14.08.2021 |
|||||
|
SS9 |
Hollebeke 1 |
25.86 km |
Breen 3 |
13’30”7 |
Neuville |
|
SS10 |
Dikkebus 1 |
12.49 km |
Breen 4 |
6’23"9 |
Neuville |
|
SS11 |
Watou 1 |
13.62 km |
Evans 1 |
6’42”0 |
Neuville |
|
SS12 |
Mesen – Middellhoek 1 |
7.99 km |
Neuville 5 |
4’23”8 |
Neuville |
|
SS13 |
Hollebeke 2 |
25.86 km |
Ogier 1 |
13”23”7 |
Neuville |
|
SS14 |
Dikkebus 2 |
12.49 km |
Neuville 6 |
6’19”1 |
Neuville |
|
SS15 |
Watou 2 |
13.62 km |
Ogier 2 |
6’37"1 |
Neuville |
|
SS16 |
Mesen – Middellhoek 2 |
7.99 km |
Neuville 7 |
4’21"2 |
Neuville |
|
Sunday 15.08.2021 |
|||||
|
SS17 |
Stavelot 1 |
9.05 km |
Rovanperä 1 |
5'06”2 |
Neuville |
|
SS18 |
Francorchamps 1 |
11.21 km |
Tänak 2 |
6'56”9 |
Neuville |
|
SS19 |
Stavelot 2 |
9.05 km |
Tänak 3 |
5'04”0 |
Neuville |
|
SS20 |
Francorchamps 2
(Power Stage) |
11.21 km |
Tänak 4 |
6'48”3 |
Neuville |
Retirements
SS3 : Fourmaux : Off road (Heavy crash)
SS3 : Gryazin : Off road (In ditch)
SS4 : Greensmith : Off road (In ditch)
SS9 : Loubet : Off road (In ditch)
SS10 : Katsuta : Off road (Heavy crash)
Leaders
SS1 : Tänak ; SS 2 – 3 : Breen ; SS 4-20 : Neuville.
Stages Winners
Neuville : 7 stage wins ; Breen & Tanäk : 4 scr. ; Ogier : 2 scr. ; Evans & Rovanperä : 1 scr. (SS 9 cancelled)