Vojtéch Štajf turned the tables on Dávid Botka, whom he narrowly lost the ERC2 category title to back in 2015. Norbert Herczig was promoted to a surprise second consecutive podium finish by Al-Attiyah’s delay, finishing 1m21.4s behind Galatariotis aboard his MOL Racing Team ŠKODA Fabia R5.Īl-Attiyah settled for fourth place after his late tyre change, while fifth went to Toksport WRT’s Orhan Avcioğlu, his first ERC top five finish.
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The Portuguese driver’s weekend-long approach of being sensible and avoiding rocks at all costs paid dividends, ensuring another top result after his win on the EKO Acropolis Rally two weeks ago. He was 0.6s behind Galatariotis, the third closest finish in recent ERC history. SEAJETS-backed Magalhães overtook Al-Attiyah in-stage moments before the finish line to snatch second place and a points lead in the ERC championship standings.
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However, Al-Attiyah was forced to stop and change a puncture close to the finish of the Cyprus Rally’s final test, his attempts to continue with a deflating tyre for several kilometres ultimately in vain. Nasser Al-Attiyah had stormed into first place on the penultimate stage, taking 20.6s out of Galatariotis to gain a 2.3s lead with one stage remaining.
#Magalhaes 2 spec driver#
Home favourite Galatariotis captured a first win for a Cypriot driver in 10 years despite carrying a front-right puncture to the finish line of the closing ENEOS Golden Stage. Simos Galatariotis cemented his status as a local legend by scoring a dramatic last-gasp FIA European Rally Championship victory over Bruno Magalhães by 0.6s on his home event, the Cyprus Rally.