Panteli two Cyprus stages away from first ERC2 win

Q8 Oils Rally Team pilot Panteli began Sunday with a mere 0.2 seconds in hand over fellow Cypriot Panikos Polykarpou, an uncomfortable lead for Panteli given his rival’s status as a pre-rally favourite for ERC2 honours.

However, Polykarpou’s Psaltis Auto Parts-prepared Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X picked up a puncture in Sunday’s first stage, costing him five minutes as he pulled over to change his right-rear wheel mid-stage.

Panteli’s closest challenger is compatriot Michalis Posedias, who scored a stage win to finish his Sunday morning loop. 48.0s separates the pair with two stages remaining.

Azores Airlines Rallye ERC2 winner Juan Carlos Alonso is set for his second finish of 2018, 1m27.3s behind Panteli in third with his RMC Motorsport Lancer Evo X.

Zelindo Melegari, who changed to a Lancer Evo X mid-season, is fourth, holding a 1m07.9s advantage over Polyparkou aboard his Movisport-prepared car.

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