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Breen keeps that speed up, and is indeed third quickest on the stage, 12s slower than Paddon.
Those behind on the road are definitely benefiting from the clearing process, and one of them is Craig Breen. He's third fastest through the second split, and has a quarter of the stage still to run.
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A wry smile from the New Zealander, but he insists he's not focusing on Ogier at the moment:
"I think this stage helped us a little more. It's good for us. Ogier's not the target for now - we've got to build a buffer behind. It was all under control!"
8.8s is all that separates the pair now.
"I think this stage helped us a little more. It's good for us. Ogier's not the target for now - we've got to build a buffer behind. It was all under control!"
8.8s is all that separates the pair now.
Stopwatch
Paddon delivers! He goes six seconds quicker than Ostberg, taking a massive 23.6s out of Ogier. Game on?
Tanak is the next man in, and is slowest of all. He's 7s slower than Ogier, and 25s off the pace set by Ostberg. Paddon the next man through.
Paddon is on course to halve his arrears to Ogier at this pace. He's 15.7s faster than Ogier by the second split.
Sordo comes through fourth-quickest so far.
Paddon is also on the stage now - and the fastest of all through the first split. Watch this space?
Stopwatch
Ostberg blitzes that time though, as expected. He goes the best part of 10 seconds quicker to move into a net third.
"For sure it's cleaning. Something like this we expected. You need to do a good stage to get a good time, but it's nice to make up some time."
"For sure it's cleaning. Something like this we expected. You need to do a good stage to get a good time, but it's nice to make up some time."
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"It was OK. It's quite slippy, it's getting faster and faster on the rear. For me it was a stage to get back into the rhythm after a difficult day yesterday," says Neuville.
Neuville goes quickest of all by 0.6s - a good effort from the Hyundai man.
Ostberg though looks faster than Mikkelsen after two splits, and could jump back ahead of the Volkswagen man if he keeps this pace up. He's 11.7s quicker in the green compared to Ogier through split number two.
"I had a really clean drive, I'm happy with that. It's cleaning a lot on this stage," he says.
Stopwatch
Mikkelsen is over the line - not as big a gain in that final split, but he's still taken 7.8s out of his team-mate on SS12.
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"I'm very happy with my stage [earlier], but this one's a different story - we might lose a bit," says a wary Ogier.
If Mikkelsen's first split was good, then Ostberg's is pretty mega. He's 2.1s faster than his compatriot through the opening check.
Ogier is in meanwhile, in a time of 13m34.5s.
Ogier is in meanwhile, in a time of 13m34.5s.
Plenty of the stage still to run, of course.
Stopwatch
7.1s is what Mikkelsen has now taken out of his team-mate!
Mikkelsen is looking good at the moment to take even more out of Ogier at the second split. Neuville is also up on Ogier after the first check.
Ogier is now through the second split, in 8m45.3s. A bit over six miles left for the Frenchman on this stage.
Stopwatch
It's a good start for Mikkelsen, who makes up three seconds on team-mate Ogier through the first split.
First split checked for Ogier, who is through in 4m23.3s. Mikkelsen is also on the stage, while Neuville will join the Volkswagens any second now.
Or rather, he's on his way now. Slight misreading of the timing screen there - apologies - but the Frenchman is definitely on the stage.
On his way on the stage, of course.
Green flag
Ogier is off.
Almost ready for a start here then. It'll be particularly interesting to see if Paddon can do anything about the pace of the two leading Volkswagens, which look well sorted this morning.
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David Evans
SS12: Vargasen 15.34 miles
One of the season’s highlights – this stage is lovely and wide and really, really quick. It’s one for the the brave and that’s before you get to the big jump in the middle now known as Colin’s Crest. Named, of course, after McRae – following a particularly lengthy leap from the Scot. Thierry Neuville is the current record-holder following a 44-metre jump last year.
One of the season’s highlights – this stage is lovely and wide and really, really quick. It’s one for the the brave and that’s before you get to the big jump in the middle now known as Colin’s Crest. Named, of course, after McRae – following a particularly lengthy leap from the Scot. Thierry Neuville is the current record-holder following a 44-metre jump last year.
We're not done with Mr EVANS yet, though. T-Minus 10 minutes until the start of Vargasen, here's his preview of what to expect over the next 15 miles.
David Evans
Not much has disappointed on Rally Sweden do far, but the Elvis Café just outside Torsby being closed yesterday was one. All shook up, there was a little less conversation until Autosport was treated to a toasted cheese and ham sandwich at petrol station half an hour later by Wales Rally GB aficionados Andrew Kellitt and Ben Taylor. Further disappointment followed, however, when Rally GB MD Taylor refused to shell out on a plastic sledge to make the most out of winter’s arrival.
Anohter update from our man on the ground, who found himself missing a few creature comforts yesterday.
Praise for Craig Breen for his performance yesterday from DAVID EVANS, and the Irishman had another strong showing on SS10 to retain eighth overall.
That could well become seventh, depending on Sordi's puncture troubles, which would certainly be a dream start with Citroen.
That could well become seventh, depending on Sordi's puncture troubles, which would certainly be a dream start with Citroen.
David Evans
Mixed fortunes for the Emerald Isle boys yesterday. It was another rock and another rally for the unfortunate Kris Meeke, while Craig Breen enjoyed a dream day aboard the sister Abu Dhabi DS 3 WRC.
Information
One fairly major bit of news we haven't brought you yet this morning is that tomorrow's running will be limited to just one stage.
Rally Sweden organisers took the decision to cancel the Lesjofors stage due to 'adverse road conditions'.
That means only the Varmullsasen power stage will be run on Sunday.
Rally Sweden organisers took the decision to cancel the Lesjofors stage due to 'adverse road conditions'.
That means only the Varmullsasen power stage will be run on Sunday.
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A bit of a break now until the start of SS12, the first run of Vargasen, which kicks off at 09:08.
The stage includes the famous Colin's Crest jump, and it's proving to be just as popular a spectator spot this year as it has in previous...
The stage includes the famous Colin's Crest jump, and it's proving to be just as popular a spectator spot this year as it has in previous...
SS10 Summary:
*Ogier goes fastest to extend his advantage over Paddon
*Gap grows to 32.4s
*Mikkelsen moves back into third with second-fastest time
*Camilli rolls his M-Sport Fiesta
* Sordo, Latvala and WRC2 frontrunner Ahlin all suffer punctures
*Ogier goes fastest to extend his advantage over Paddon
*Gap grows to 32.4s
*Mikkelsen moves back into third with second-fastest time
*Camilli rolls his M-Sport Fiesta
* Sordo, Latvala and WRC2 frontrunner Ahlin all suffer punctures
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As you can see, WRC2 leaders Evans and Tidemand are up into the points as a result of Camilli's roll and Bertelli's withdrawal.
By: Matt Beer
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