Cais closes on Wagner in pursuit of Zlín ERC runner-up spot

It follows back-to-back stage wins for Cais on his home round of the FIA European Rally Championship, which also took him ahead of Březík on SS13.  

“I was flat out since the first corner,” Cais said after he matched the fastest time set earlier by Filip Mareš on SS14. “I knew what tyres Adam had. I know the feeling is much better on this but I also know the feeling on the normal asphalt and I went flat out. I hope to finish the last one without any problem because I know my history on the final stages.”  

While Cais opted for dry-weather Michelin tyres for the final loop, Březík opted to use a mixture of dry and wet-weather Michelin covers to cope with the muddy sections of the Semetín and Pindula stages following earlier rain. But the gamble didn’t pay off and Březík will start the 12.48km Halenkovice Power Stage playing catch-up with Mareš 6.4sec behind Březík in fifth.  

After snatching third place from Březík on the Barum Czech Rally Zlín Power Stage in 2023, Wagner will switch from defence to attack mode this time.   

“It’s just managing, we’re well prepared for the Power Stage,” Austrian Wagner said. “I like the stage a lot. We won it last year and we won it on the first pass. I have one more tyre in the boot. It’s Barum Rally so expect the unexpected.”  

Hankook-equipped Dominik Stříteský will start the Power Stage leading Barum Czech Rally Zlín by 25.3sec. The action begins at 16:05 local time.