Press Release

WRS R1-5 report: Close, but not close enough

04.05.2023 - WRS Monte-Carlo (361.4km distance)

Jan Zhuk's campaign could not have started any worse: DNF on stage 1, and after 2 DNF's last season too. Meanwhile, Cels was struggling; a puncture on stage 7 and bad tyre call on day 3 opened the door for Pankrác Zatáčka to win the opener and set the tone for a serious title bid. And yet they would be denied, despite having 28 seconds to play with on day 4, by a hard charging Visvaldis.

1st: V. Cels/V. Markov, 4:08:43.514
2nd: P. Zatacka/A. Haggui, +12.971
3rd: A. Rezervists/B. Kuncl, +1:39.082

WRS Sweden (322.92km distance)

This rally was neck and neck for a while, but Cels always kept it just out of reach, and this more than Monte Carlo set the tone for the season thus far. Behind the front two, Colin Crash established himself as the clear 3rd placed driver, and was able to hang on despite a stage 13 puncture bring the result into question.
1st: V. Cels/V. Markov, 3:06:56.278
2nd: P. Zatacka/A. Haggui, +19.434
3rd: C. Crash/W. Da Gama, +2:46.258

WRS Safari (240.09km distance)

The first two rallies were probably Zatacka's best chances to succeed in this first third of the season. They were off the pace here, not what it would've helped because a tyre stuff up on day 4 also cost them the podium. In spite of stage wins, Jan Zhuk was unable to capitalize, puncturing twice on stages 8 and 14.

1st: V. Cels/V. Markov, 2:26:05.194
2nd: A. Rezervists/B. Kuncl, +1:35.292
3rd: C. Crash/W. Da Gama, +1:53.580

WRS France (416.34km distance)

Zhuk struck back with 3 stages wins and the overall lead on day 1 here. Much like Acosta last season however, this advantage would not persist, and Cels reclaimed the lead which they would keep by stage 6. Zatacka had a change to take 2nd after being the fastest on day 3, but punctured on stage 13 to miss out.

1st: V. Cels/V. Markov, 4:13:00.073
2nd: J. Zhuk/Y. Ghaleb, +59.988
3rd: P. Zatacka/A. Haggui, +1:27.494

WRS Belgium (182.66km distance)

Speaking of stage 13 punctures, Cels had one here, introducing late drama as Zatacka was the provisional leader with 3 stages to go. But like clockwork, Visvaldis again calmly recovered and did what was necessary to win. The title fight seems done and dusted already.

1st: V. Cels/V. Markov, 1:52:18.376
2nd: P. Zatacka/A. Haggui, +3.681
3rd: J. Zhuk/Y. Ghaleb, +28.003

The top few places in the overall standings were like this after 5 rounds:

Cels 125
Zatacka 79
Rezervists 65
Crash 64
Zhuk 57

One gets the feeling we're waiting for season 52 for another true title fight in WRS, possibly even later. But the battle for the minor placings is still full of twists and turns.