Historic Portugal Rally runs today through special stages in Trás-os-Montes and Minho
The third stage of the XVII Historic Portugal Rally starts and finishes in Viseu, but takes competitors to the regions of Trás-os-Montes and Minho, on a route of 541 kilometers.
Competition is at an all-time high with Belgians Johnny Delhez and Pyck Aswin (Ford Escort) at the top of the standings, after mechanical problems that delayed favorites Yves Deflandre / Jennifer Hugo (Porsche 911).
After the journey that connected Figueira da Foz and Viseu yesterday, the 80 teams competing in the Historic Portugal Rally woke up early today in the city of Viriato, with another 541 kilometers in the roadbook for this Thursday. The stage started at 8:45 am, at the Hotel Montebelo, heading north, where competitors compete in regular specials in places such as Cárquere, in the municipality of Resende, next to the church where D. Afonso Henriques was cured of the disease that affected his legs in the child. In Trás-os-Montes, pass through Vila Real, Senhora da Graça, Ribeira de Pena, and Montalegre, with a special on the World Ralicross circuit, before stopping for lunch. From Montalegre, the caravan explores the roads of Gerês towards Minho, with special stages in emblematic locations of the Vodafone Rally of Portugal, such as Vieira do Minho and Cabeceiras de Basto, before a double climb to the Rampa de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, in Lamego. The day ends again at the Hotel Montebelo, in Viseu, where the first competitor is expected at 11:10 pm.
Three different leaders
Sporting-wise, the competition for the Rally of Historic Portugal is at an all-time high, as the leaders of the first 14 special stages, Belgians Yves Deflandre and Jennifer Hugo had mechanical problems in their Porsche 911 after passing through Muna, another place with a historical connection to the Rally. from Portugal.
Spaniards Marcos Fernández and Adolfo González took the opportunity to put their Peugeot 205 GTi at the front of the classification, but at the end of the stage Belgians Johnny Delhez and Pyck Aswin (Ford Escort) took the lead, with a mere 0.8s advantage over the pair Spanish. Third place is occupied, at this point, by Christophe Berteloot and Baptiste Gengoux (Porsche 911), who are also just 3.9s behind the leaders, that is, in a direct fight for victory. The Portuguese Luís Cavaco and Luís Serôdio are having a growing race, with their Ford Escort RS, and are already fourth overall, 21s behind the lead.
Tomorrow, the final stage of the Historic Portugal Rally is also the longest, with more than 700 kilometers in length, between Viseu and Lisbon. A stage that includes the famous excursions through Arganil and the night of Sintra, before arriving at Parque Eduardo VII, in Lisbon.
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