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Day 2am: Rovanpera hits trouble

Harri Rovanpera has lost any chance of victory on the Rally of Turkey after a shock absorber broke on SS10, costing the Finn over seven minutes. Carlos Sainz has taken over at the top of the timesheets, and has a comfortable 56s lead

The Peugeot driver had looked comfortable after the mornings first three stages, setting the fastest time on SS7 and the third-quickest time on SS9. The only consolation for the French manufacturer comes from Richard Burns, who has battled up to second overall.

"It wasn't a mistake Harri made," said Peugeot boss Corrado Provera. "It seems the shock absorber just broke, but of course we won't know until we speak to him.

"It's a great shame because he's lost a great chance to win and so have we, because although Richard is second he's one minute behind Carlos. Carlos set an exceptional time [on SS10] so congratulations to him."

After setting the fastest time on SS8, Sainz flew through SS10, with a time 24.9s faster than anyone else could manage. Burns did stage a fightback to win SS11, but he only took six seconds out of the Spaniard's lead.

Francois Duval continues to run in third, with Colin McRae fourth. Gilles Panizzi continues to impress, the asphalt ace running fifth on the rock-strewn roads.

Another Finn to hit trouble on SS10 was Tommi Makinen. The Subaru driver had been in pursuit of Sainz before damaging his suspension after a spin. Makinen has dropped to ninth overall.

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