Freddy Loix has clinched victory in the Rally Madeira, maintaining his 100 percent winning record in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, and leading another all-Skoda podium. The Belgian led the majority of the event, chased initially by Luca Rossetti until the returnee Abarth driver crashed out.
Kris Meeke (Peugeot) and Jan Kopecky (Skoda) then battled over the runner-up spot, but yet again Meeke would be out of luck. Having only just resolved an alternator problem this morning, and engine issue then forced him to retire from the event.
That left Kopecky secure in second, where he would finish 37.8 seconds down on the victorious Loix, who has now won on his both his IRC guest starts with Skoda this year.
Championship leader Juho Hanninen had to settle for third this time, fighting back ahead of local Peugeot driver Miguel Nunes following a puncture on the final day.