The second day of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece has come to an end. Thierry Neuville took over the lead in the WRC1 class on the day.
SS2, Loutraki 1
Thierry Neuville claimed the win on the second stage. With Neuville posting a time 3.4 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to take the rally lead. Ott Tänak finished third on the stage, 0.5 seconds slower than Ogier. Elfyn Evans set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Tänak. Kalle Rovanperä rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 1.3 seconds slower than Evans.
SS3, Pissia
Kalle Rovanperä took the stage win on the third stage of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece. Posting a time 3.1 seconds faster than rally leader Thierry Neuville to win the stage. Sebastien Ogier finsihed third fastest on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Neuville. Ott Tänak set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 3.8 seconds slower than Ogier. Elfyn Evans rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 1.8 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS4, Loutraki 2
Stage 4 saw Sebastien Ogier take the stage win for his first of the weekend. With Ogier posting a time 2.2 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to win the stage. Esapekka Lappi and Ott Tänak tied for third fastest on the stage, with each finishing 1.6 seconds slower than Neuville. Elfyn Evans set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.5 seconds slower than Lappi and Tänak. Dani Sordo and Kalle Rovanperä tied for the fifth fastest time on the stage, with each finishing 0.7 seconds slower than Evans.
SS5, Livadia
Ott Tänak took the stage win on the fifth stage of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece. Posting a time 5.9 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to take his first stage win of the weekend. Sebastien Ogier finished third fastest on the stage, 5 seconds slower than Neuville. Esapekka Lappi set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 5.2 seconds slower than Ogier. Dani Sordo rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 1.5 seconds slower than Lappi.
SS6, Elatia
Ott Tänak also took the stage win on SS6, posting a time 4.9 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to claim the stage win. Elfyn Evans finished third quickest on the stage, 3.3 seconds slower than Ogier. Thierry Neuville set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.3 seconds slower than Evans. Takamoto Katsuta rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 5.2 seconds slower than Neuville.
Penalty For Tänak
Ott Tänak had his hopes of a rally win stumbled after he received a 3-minute and 40-second penalty for being 22 minutes late to SS4. Tänak was hoping to get back on track this weekend after a penalty put him out of the race in Estonia and a mechanical issue forced him out of Finland.
Loubet Retires
Pierre-Louis Loubet retired before SS2 even started due to a mechanical issue. Loubet was likely looking for redemption after a mechanical issue forced him out of the lead of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece last season.
What To Expect From Day Three
Day three of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece should be an exciting one. As just 2.8 seconds separate Thierry Neuville and Sebastien Ogier for the rally lead. From there it gets a lot less interesting. Kalle Rovanperä sits 22.7 seconds back from Ogier. Elfyn Evans sits 5.5 seconds behind Rovanperä so there will likely be a battle there. Esapekka Lappi rounds out the top five heading into the final day, sitting 1.1 seconds behind Rovanperä. So a three-way battle for third will likely take place tomorrow. All eyes will be on Rovanperä and Evans however.