The Swede was up against fellow WRC-2 runner Anders Grondal in the opening heat on the 1.9 kilometre two-lane stage. His benchmark of 1m32.1s was to remain unbeaten by the faster World Rally cars that attempted the stage subsequently. Citroen's Mads Ostberg came closest to toppling Ford driver Tidemand, falling 0.3 seconds short of the stage win in the final heat, but beating his adversary Sebastien Ogier by 0.8s. Ogier's fellow Volkswagen driver Jari-Matti Latvala was third quickest, a tenth slower than Ostberg, after edging out the Norwegian's team-mate Kris Meeke by 2.2s in their heat. Thierry Neuville was the best of the Hyundais in fourth, 0.6s adrift of Tidemand but easily beating...
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