Just four stages stand between Kalle Rovanperä and his first triumph of the season after the Finn obliterated his rivals on Saturday at Vodafone Rally de Portugal. What started as a modest lead of 10.7 seconds overnight was transformed into a mighty advantage of almost one minute by close of play on the penultimate day. The 22-year-old, who is yet to win a rally so far this season, enters Sunday’s finale 57.5 seconds ahead of Hyundai Motorsport’s Dani Sordo. Lappi closed in on the Spaniard early in the day, climbing from fifth to third overall on the first pass of Vieira do Minho. But the Finn’s pace faded in the afternoon and he was passed by Neuville, who finished a mere 2.3 seconds ahead of him and 11.1 seconds adrift of Sordo. Sunday’s finale is all about the extraordinary Fafe, its big jump before the finish and its crowds.

Follow MotorMouth on social media:

• 
• 
• 
•