Fourmaux continues in fifth place in the competition but has slightly closed the gap to the Hyundai driver ahead, Ott Tänak. The difference between them is now 10.5 seconds in favour of the Estonian.
“I feel really good. But today it will be difficult,” Fourmaux reported.
“It’s more dirty than I expected. Quite bumpy as well,” Tänak commented.
Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville was the second fastest on the stage and is now alone at the top of the standings. Toyota’s Elfyn Evans is just a narrow 0.8 seconds behind.
“Fighting with the traction., Less rain than expected,” Neuville summed up.
Toyota’s Sebastien Ogier was half a second slower than Neuville. Ogier continues in third place in the rally. He is 7.1 seconds behind the leader.
“Maybe not pushing enough. I have some tyre choice, let’s see at the end,” Ogier remarked.
In the WRC2 class, Nikolay Gryazin continues to lead, with his advantage over Citroen teammate Yohan Rossel now at 29.5 seconds. Gus Greensmith in his Skoda is just five seconds behind Rossel.
Sami Pajari, competing with Toyota’s new Rally2 car, is fourth in the class.
The Croatia Rally will continue on Saturday with seven more special stages. The event concludes on Sunday.
Situation at the Croatia Rally after SS9/20:
| POS | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Thierry Neuville | Hyundai | 1:15:34.4 |
| 2. | Elfyn Evans | Toyota | +0.8 |
| 3. | Sebastien Ogier | Toyota | +7.1 |
| 4. | Ott Tänak | Hyundai | +41.7 |
| 5. | Adrien Fourmaux | Ford | +52.2 |
| 6. | Takamoto Katsuta | Toyota | +1:45.1 |
| 7. | Andreas Mikkelsen | Hyundai | +2:41.5 |
| 8. | Gregoire Munster | Ford | +3:22.4 |
| 9. | Nikolay Gryazin | Citroen | +4:22.9 |
| 10. | Yohan Rossel | Citroen | +4:52.4 |
| 11. | Gus Greensmith | Skoda | +4:58.0 |
| 12. | Sami Pajari | Toyota | +5:25.8 |
Croatia Rally itinerary (CET):
Thursday, April 18 09:01 Shakedown: Okić (3.65 km) Friday, April 19 08:28 SS1: Krašić - Sošice 1 (23.63 km) 09:41 SS2: Jaškovo - Mali Modruš Potok 1 (9.48 km) 10:39 SS3: Ravna Gora - Skrad 1 (10.13 km) 11:47 SS4: Platak 1 (16.63 km) 14:02 Tyre fitting zone (15 min) 14:45 SS5: Platak 2 (16.63 km) 15:58 SS6: Ravna Gora - Skrad 2 (10.13 km) 17:16 SS7: Jaškovo - Mali Modruš Potok 2 (9.48 km) 18:09 SS8: Krašić - Sošice 2 (23.63 km) Saturday, April 20 07:31 SS9: Smerovišće - Grdanjci 1 (15.72 km) 08:24 SS10: Stojdraga - Gornja Vas 1 (20.77 km) 10:05 SS11: Vinski Vrh - Duga Resa 1 (8.78 km) 11:03 SS12: Pećurkovo Brdo - Mrežnički Novaki 1 (9.11 km) 13:03 Service (40 min) 14:31 SS13: Smerovišće - Grdanjci 2 (15.72 km) 15:24 SS14: Stojdraga - Gornja Vas 2 (20.77 km) 17:05 SS15: Vinski Vrh - Duga Resa 2 (8.78 km) 18:03 SS16: Pećurkovo Brdo - Mrežnički Novaki 2 (9.11 km) Sunday, April 21 07:08 SS17: Trakošćan - Vrbno 1 (13.15 km) 08:35 SS18: Zagorska Sela - Kumrovec 1 (14.24 km) 10:23 SS19: Trakošćan - Vrbno 2 (13.15 km) 13:15 SS20: Zagorska Sela - Kumrovec 2 (14.24 km) *Power Stage
