The second day of the 2022 running of Ypres Rally Belgium has passed.
First Loop
Elfyn Evans would take the lead out of loop one after inheriting the lead from teammate Kalle Rovanperä on SS2 after Rovanperä was forced to retire. Evans would win SS4, the final stage of the loop. Neuville would win SS2, finishing 0.3 seconds ahead of Evans. Neuville was in third after the loop, 8.8 seconds behind Evans. Ott Tänak would take the win on SS3, beating Neuville by 0.1 seconds. Lappi would place fourth after the loop, 12.4 seconds behind Neuville. Breen would finish the loop fifth, 4.2 seconds behind Lappi.
Second Loop
Elfyn Evans would remain in the lead until SS7, when he was passed by Neuville and Tänak, falling into third. Neuville would win all the stages in the second loop and end day two with a lead of 2.5 seconds over Hyundai teammate Ott Tänak. Evans would end the day 13.7 seconds behind Neuville. Lappi would finish the day 23.6 seconds behind Toyota teammate Elfyn Evans. Breen would end the day 18.8 seconds behind Evans.
Rovanperä Out
2022 WRC Championship leader Kalle Rovanperä is out of the rally after rolling on SS2. Rovanperä won SS1 by 2.5 seconds over fellow Toyota driver Elfyn Evans. This will be a massive blow to Rovanperä, who had the chance to clinch the championship this weekend.
A Late Lead Change
Thierry Neuville would take over the lead late in day two after winning four straight stages. Neuville came into the event as the favorite after he won the 2021 running of Ypres Rally Belgium.
Mechanical issues for Solberg
Oliver Solberg would have some gear shifting issues on SS6. These issues would be fixed for SS7, where he was able to be the fifth fastest on the stage. However, these issues seemed to reappear on SS8. Solberg currently sits in seventh, 26.7 seconds behind Greensmith.
A Penalty For Evans
Elfyn Evans, who led the rally most of day two after inheriting it from Kalle Rovanperä, would face a 10-second penalty. Evans would receive this penalty for being a minute late to the start of SS8. He currently sits 13.7 seconds behind Neuville in third.
My name is Joe Moore. I am a writer for Belly Up Hockey, Belly Up Racing, and Belly Up Sports. You can find me on Twitter.
