Al-Attiyah still leads in Cyprus despite Mikkelsen charge

Nasser Al-Attiyah will take a lead of 49.0s into the final three stages of the Cyprus Rally after reigning Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion Andreas Mikkelsen thrived on Sunday’s third stage.

Eurosport

Image credit: TNT Sports

SKODA UK Motorsport driver Mikkelsen was 1:30.2s adrift at the overnight halt in Pafos, but claimed his third stage best of the morning by going 8.8s quicker than Al-Attiyah on the 15.91-kilometre all-asphalt Stavros stage.

Al-Attiyah must win the event in his M-Sport Ford Fiesta RRC to maintain his push for the Middle East championship, while Mikkelsen will seal his second IRC crown in style and his fifth event win in the series if he can pip his rival.

Stage 11, the repeat of the 19.43-kilometre Prodromi test, features 36 per cent asphalt and 64 per cent gravel.

IRC

Al-Attiyah still leads in Cyprus despite Mikkelsen charge

Nasser Al-Attiyah will take a lead of 49.0s into the final three stages of the Cyprus Rally after reigning Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion Andreas Mikkelsen thrived on Sunday’s third stage.

Al-Attiyah wins last three stages to win in Cyprus

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Wicha returns for Cyprus finale