[WRC] Vodafone Rally de Portugal 2019

[mknight]

While Sordo is normally guaranteed for 4-5 place on the rallies he likes last year Portugal was actually his worst rally of the season in terms of pace. After the friday carnage he was expected to easily secure 2nd, especially based on his Mexico and Argentina performance that year. But he got beaten by both Evans and Suninen and stayed only barely ahead of Lappi. That was without any pressure since he was not manu nominated, Tänak was out and Ogier out of points.
Though he got also hit by "penalty wars" for moving a barrel on the friday SS that got announced first on Sunday morning (or Saturday evening) . At that time it looked really petty since as mentioned he wasn't nominated and wasn't doing full season anyway, but it probably was MSports payback for Ogiers penalty in Mexico.

[EstWRC]

Honestly, as long Citroen and Hyundai can’t make their cars as fast as the Yaris, Tanak seems to still be the favourite.

Although Portugal is Tänaks one of favourite events, and he made his debut there, so far there hasnt been much love between him and Rally Portugal.

The speed has been there but there have always been some mistakes and unlucky moments. His best result so far is "only" 4th in 2017.

2014 - huge crash at the same place where Latvala had his in 2009. But until that pretty impressive ride, considering it was only his second rally in a WRC machine after a year out, was second after day one and before the crash was third.
2015 - nice steady run and 5th in the end.
2016 - that unfortunate crash and dramatic fire because of that nasty bump which lifted the car and where he and Paddon went off.
2017 - when battling with Ogier made a little but very costly mistake when he went a bit wide in the right hand corner and hit the bank which damaged the suspension. 4th in the end
2018 - well, we all remember that humongous rock which ended his rally already after some kilometres.

maybe 2019 is finally his year? we will see.

Ogier is definitely the favourite for me, he is just so strong on this event, won it in 2017 while being first on the road.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The best thing about this and every 2019 rally is that there is no clear favourite.

All of the 'Big 3' can win any event, plus two or three others can have a chance. Best keep the guesswork for pickems.

[doubled1978]

I’m interested to see how Greensmith gets on this weekend....I hope he has enough budget to be able to really push and give it a go and afford any damage that comes. Crawling round like Tidemand did won’t do him any good and he should have a good road position.

[Rallyper]

I’m interested to see how Greensmith gets on this weekend....I hope he has enough budget to be able to really push and give it a go and afford any damage that comes. Crawling round like Tidemand did won’t do him any good and he should have a good road position.

For sure he´ll be top three guy at once. And you´re right it´s a budget thing...

[doubled1978]

For sure he´ll be top three guy at once. And you´re right it´s a budget thing...

I hope he shows well, as Sunninen did in Poland, and then Finland in 2017...you could see that he was driving a little bit over his limit, but he held on didn’t bin it, and it’s paid off for him.
Maybe Tidemand will look back in hindsight and wish he chose different events..Portugal and Sardinia back to back would perhaps have been easier to show something.

[pantealex]

I’m interested to see how Greensmith gets on this weekend....I hope he has enough budget to be able to really push and give it a go and afford any damage that comes. Crawling round like Tidemand did won’t do him any good and he should have a good road position.

Well, he must be much faster than R5 and even that isn´t easy task.

[doubled1978]

For sure he´ll be top three guy at once. And you´re right it´s a budget thing...

I hope he shows well, as Sunninen did in Poland, and then Finland in 2017...you could see that he was driving a little bit over his limit, but he held on didn’t bin it, and it’s paid off for him.
Maybe Tidemand will look back in hindsight and wish he chose different events..Portugal and Sardinia back to back would perhaps have been easier to show something.

[Tarmop]

Sweden, his home-event, with good smooth surface and some protective snowbanks was quite logical and perfect...
Are there any news about Tidemand? There were talks about maybe 6 outings this year, in the beginning of the year.

[Rallyper]

Sweden, his home-event, with good smooth surface and some protective snowbanks was quite logical and perfect...
Are there any news about Tidemand? There were talks about maybe 6 outings this year, in the beginning of the year.

Haven´t heard anything, but I´m sure it´s about money.
And with funding for one or two rallies, you will never end up in the top.