Jari-Matti Latvala will go into the final stage of the Jordan Rally with a 0.5-second lead over Sebastien Ogier after a spectacular charge on the last loop.
Although previous rally leader Ogier (Citroen) was losing time running first on the road earlier today, Latvala (Ford) did not appear to be catching him quickly enough on this morning's first loop to have a shot at victory.
But after service Latvala raised his game further, with a string of stage wins taking him into a very narrow lead with just the power stage remaining.
"It will be a really, really stressful stage," said Latvala. "Ogier is really, really good on that stage too. We need to be absolutely perfect on that one if we want to win this rally. I'm going to push as hard as I can."
Ogier was frustrated at the end of the penultimate stage, saying he had encountered – and had to drive around – unexpected rocks in the road.
Sebastien Loeb is no longer in the fight for victory. Unhappy with an oversteering car on this afternoon's loop, he is now 27.9sec off the lead.