Flash News (After SS 9)
8/10/2023
1. NASSER AL-ATTIYAH (QAT)/ MATTHIEU BAUMEL (AND)
"We had 3 special stages in the morning leg, and none of them were easy. But what matters is that we are leading the rally, and that makes us happy. For the rest of the rally, we need to stay focused because the special stages are always challenging. We have a good lead of 3 minutes, and we need to stay strong until the end to achieve the best result for us."
2. ABDULLAH AL-RAWAHI (OMN)/ ATA ALHMOUD (JOR)
"So far, everything is going well. Unlike yesterday when we had a puncture that cost us time and dropped us to 4th place. Today, we pushed hard in the morning to cover the distance . With the retirement of Simos Galatariotis, we managed to move back into 2nd place. Nasser Al-Attiyah is ahead by a considerable difference, and we have about a 1-minute gap from Demosthenous. The plan for the afternoon is to continue cautiously to reach the finish line and maintain our position."
3. CHRISTOS DEMOSTHENOUS (CYP)/ KYPROS CHRISTODOULOU (CYP)
"In the 7th special stage, we had a puncture from the jump at the start of the stage. It caused us significant damages and we lost a lot of time. The goal for the afternoon is to hold our position and do the best we can."
4. PETROS PANTELI (CYP)/ CHARALAMBOS LAOS (CYP)
"In the special stage in Lythrodontas, we decided not to go fast because there were many rocks inside the stage from the tests. We considered it better not to risk damaging the car or any tires."
7. PANAGIOTIS GIAGKOU (CYP)/ ARISTOS NICOLAOU (CYP)
"Today, the special stages were very demanding. Our goal was to go faster than yesterday, as we've overcome the issues from then. We drove quickly, safely, and the aim is to finish. The special stages are tough and rough, and now, on the second pass, they will surely be even more challenging. We will try to finish and do our best."
5. COSTAS ZENONOS (CYP)/ PHANOS CHRISTOFI (CYP)
"We started in the best way, but later, a punctured tire cost us a lot of time in the 8th special stage. In the 9th special stage, after the start, we had an issue with the car's power, but we managed to fix it in the end and finished normally. We will continue cautiously for a good finish."
21. STAVROS YPERMACHOU (CYP)/ VASILIS YPERMACHOU (CYP)
"The special stages were quite good but also challenging. There were quite a few rocks within the special stages. We were taking it easy to enjoy it primarily."
14. ZACHARIAS MANOLI (CYP)/ GIANNOS KALLI (CYP)
"The special stages were very tough, especially the Lythrodontas stage. We had an issue with the steering wheel, and we will try to fix it now and aim for a good finish."
17. FLOROS STYLIANOU (CYP)/ ANGELOS MAKRIDES (CYP)
"We're doing quite well, although in the Lythrodontas special stage, we had a car in front of us that had a problem, and we were in their dust for 2 km. We're heading for the finish."
10. FOTIS YIANNOURIS (CYP)/ ANDREAS CHRYSOSTOMOU (CYP)
"We're doing quite well, and we have a good distance from the car behind us. We've agreed with the crew and the mechanic to follow a safe pace for us. There are many spectators on the special stages today, and we are trying to provide them with as much excitement as possible, always within the bounds of safety."
22. LOIZOS PAPAGEORGIOU (CYP)/ PRODROMOS CHRYSANTHOU (CYP)
"The special stages are very good. The race is very enjoyable, and we are savoring it. It's within our capabilities, and our goal is to finish safely."
Comment:
After Galatariotis' retirement, Al-Attiyah moved into the 1st position, while due to Demosthenous' problems, Al-Rawahi found himself ahead again.