In Croatia, a wind of bad luck blew in the direction of Thierry NeuvilleWhile victory seemed assured, the Belgian made a mistake in the final timed sector, handing the trophy to Takamoto Katsuta.
« First, I want to apologize to my entire team, to everyone who works with me throughout the year. This is obviously a huge disappointment for us. he regrets. Martin and I are the first to be disappointed. I wasn’t expecting this. Unfortunately, the rally can strike right up until the last moment”
Team Hyundai He seemed to be off to a good start from the first stages. Despite complaints about the balance of his car, Neuville finished the first day in second place provisionally, avoiding the pitfalls that had eliminated Oliver Solberg in SS1 and Elfyn Evans two stages later.
On Saturday, the fourteenth special stage, a veritable tire disaster, went in favor of the Belgian duo. Neuville inherited the lead and never relinquished it… right up to the final moments. Before tackling the last loop on Sunday, he still held a comfortable 1:14.5 lead over Takamoto Katsuta.
A cautious driving style on Sunday should have led him to the top step of the podium, a strategy executed brilliantly until the final tragedy. He was on the verge of securing his 23rd victory in WRCNeuville made a fatal mistake in the final stage. We were following the strategy, we just had to survive the Power Stage, but I was caught off guard. explains the driver of the Korean brandI slipped. My initial reaction was to open it, and then what happened, happened.. » In this cruel outcome, victory slipped away to Takamoto Katsuta, the new leader of the championship.
Despite his obvious and immense disappointment, Thierry Neuville refuses to be discouraged. It’s going to be a difficult time now, but we have no choice but to come back stronger. We will continue to fight. he slips in, though in a tone that is a little less convincing than usual. We don’t want to give up. Our time will come. It’s going to be a tough time, but we’ll be back.”
Thierry Neuville and Martin Wydaeghe will have the opportunity to bounce back on April 23 on the asphalt of the Canary Islands, the venue for the fifth round of the WRC.
ALSO READ > Rally Croatia: Cruel disappointment for Neuville who made a mistake, Katsuta inherits the victory