Sordo wins stage,
thanks Gorban

Gorban, in a production-specification Mitsubishi Lancer, is running ahead of Sordo on the road following his delay leaving midday service in Salou. Despite Sordo, who is driving a MINI John Cooper Works WRC, starting the stage four minutes after Gorban, the Ukrainian driver was slowed with a brake glitch and there were fears that Sordo would lose time overtaking him.

At the stage finish, Sordo climbed out of his car to thank Gorban for not getting in his way. “I’m really happy with him because I only lost one second so thank you to him,” said Sordo. “I’m happy with the stage and tried to push to the maximum. In the end it was really good.”

Sordo was 4.2s quicker than event leader and nine-time world rally champion Sebastien Loeb.