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18 Aug 2018

CRAIG BREEN HAS THE PACE BUT NOT THE LUCK ON DAY TWO

After fighting back up to sixth place, scoring their first stage win of the weekend in the process, Craig Breen and Scott Martin's charge was then unfortunately held up by an off on the final stage of the day, which saw them drop back to tenth overall. Meanwhile, Mads Østberg and Torstein Eriksen made progress in handling their C3 WRC on tarmac, ending the second leg in ninth position.

CRAIG BREEN HAS THE PACE BUT NOT THE LUCK ON DAY TWO

Traditionally regarded as the hardest day of Rallye Deutschland, with two runs on the formidable Baumholder military base stage (38.57km), today's second leg once again saw some very closely-contested action, in which Craig Breen was one of the leading protagonists, but he was unfortunately short of luck.

Determined to make up some of the ground he had lost yesterday, the Irishman was immediately on the pace, grabbing the third fastest time on the opening stage, just eight tenths off the leading time. He maintained his good form with two consecutive fourth fastest times, before then picking up a stage win on SS11 (12.28km) as the battle for the podium places raged around him. His form was such that Craig had closed the gap to third place from 30.6s this morning to 19s by midday service. His progress clearly showed that the C3 WRC, which finished second overall this time last year, had lost none of its pace on this surface. Consistently among the leaders throughout the afternoon, with the help of a couple of racing incidents, Craig had moved up to sixth overall when he was unfortunately caught out on the day's final stage, meaning he dropped back to tenth position.

Meanwhile, Mads Østberg was focused on continuing to learn about the C3 WRC on tarmac. He concentrated on getting more and more miles under his belt, whilst gradually reducing the gap to the leading crews. The highlight of his day of steady improvement was a fine third place, tied with the rally leader on SS11 (12.28km). He ended the leg in ninth place.

With two passes on the long Grafschaft stage (29.07km) through the heart of the Mosel vineyards, followed by the Power Stage in the countryside of the former French department of Sarre, Sunday's final leg is expected to provide its fair share of difficulties, and perhaps a few incidents.

WHAT THEY SAID

Pierre Budar, Citroën Racing Team Principal

"Craig had shown the potential of the C3 WRC, and its genuine pace, when he was unfortunately caught out on the same right-hander that ended Evans' day on the first pass. Obviously, this isn't how we hoped to end the day, which had started so well, but once again we were right in the mix, near the top of the leaderboard. As for Mads, he produced a smart, measured performance, focusing on improving."

Craig Breen

"It had been a positive day for us, setting quite a few good times, until this final stage. Unfortunately, on a fast, difficult right-hander, there was a bump on the inside of the corner that sent me slightly off the line and I ran wide into a field. Obviously, I'm very disappointed for the team, but I'm going to try and find some confidence again tomorrow and the same sort of pace we had today."

Mads Østberg

"There were highs and lows today, with some difficulties in finding the right rhythm in the military base. The main thing for me was that I managed to set a few good times, particularly the third-place finish this morning. I can't wait to get back out there tomorrow to keep learning about this car on this surface, especially as the Power Stage, for example, is being contested on similar roads to the sections where I have been the most comfortable so far."

STANDINGS AFTER DAY 2

  1. Tänak / Järveoja (Toyota Yaris WRC) 2:23:2711
  2. Sordo / Del Barrio (Hyundai i20 WRC) + 43.7
  3. Latvala / Anttila (Toyota Yaris WRC) + 44.5
  4. Neuville / Gilsoul (Hyundai i20 WRC) +52.5
  5. Lappi / Ferm (Toyota Yaris WRC) + 58.8
  6. Mikkelsen / Jaeger (Hyundai i20 WRC) + 1:50.7
  7. Ogier / Ingrassia (Ford Fiesta WRC) + 1:51.2
  8. Suninen / Markkula (Ford Fiesta WRC) + 1:57.0
  9. Ostberg / Eriksen (Citroën C3 WRC) +2:20.4
  10. Breen / Martin (Citroën C3 WRC) + 2:34.4

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