WRC Monte Carlo: Stage five cancelled due to spectator issue

Toyota’s Elfyn Evans has claimed the Monte Carlo Rally lead

Officials have been forced to cancel stage five of the World Rally Championship opener in Monte Carlo due to a spectator medical issue.

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Before crews were able to start the 16.68km Saint-Leger-les-Melezes/La Batie-Neuve stage, officials announced there would be a delay to the start due to a spectator issue. Minutes later a call was made to cancel the test to allow medical crews to provide assistance to a spectator.

The field will now head to stage six La Breole/Selonnet (18.31km) before returning to Gap for a midday service.

Toyota’s Elfyn Evans has moved into the lead of the rally with a 0.8s margin over Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville, with nine-time Monte Carlo winner Sebastien Ogier in third.

Evans started the morning two seconds behind Neuville but was able to eclipse the Belgian in the day’s opening stage which proved to be particularly challenging for those that started at the top of the order.

Freezing temperatures overnight created an icy road surface for stage four [Saint-Maurice/Aubessagne, 18.68km], which meant those that started first faced the worst of the conditions. It also triggered the debut of the new Hankook studded tyres.

The stage was won by two-time world champion Kalle Rovanpera, who started seventh on the road. The Finn had struggled for speed on Thursday night but the improving conditions appeared to help Rovanpera take the stage win by 1.4s from M-Sport’s Gregoire Munster, who started one position behind the Toyota driver.

"There is not a big difference inside the car, maybe we are better or worse with the studded tyres on these conditions this morning,” said Rovanpera.

Kalle Rovanperä, Jonne Halttunen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Photo by: Toyota Racing

“At the end there was more difference on the ice notes than the beginning, the beginning wasn't icy but the end was changing a lot. I would say that is the trickiest one.”

Toyota’s new signing Sami Pajari was third-fastest, 3.6s adrift of the pace, while Rally2 runner Oliver Solberg was fourth-quickest, which emphasised just how much the conditions had changed for the later runners.

Overnight rally leader Neuville was first to tackle the icy roads, losing 22.3s in the process.

"It is not easy, there were lots of surprises. I did get some rhythm, but the car did not have a lot of grip. I was always losing the balance, so not easy,” said Neuville.

Tanak only ceded 6.7s in what was an impressive run to haul himself back into contention as the leaderboard closed significantly.

“In Monte Carlo you are not surprised about anything, it is normal to take large chunks of time out of rivals,” said Tanak.

Ogier also managed to recover most of the lost time from Thursday’s night spin to end the test only four seconds adrift of the lead in third. The top five was completed by Hyundai duo Tanak [+12.2s] and Fourmaux [+16.6s].