The second round of the World Rally Championship (WRC) season is underway in Umeå, Sweden, marking a significant event as Rally Sweden is the only race on the WRC calendar held entirely on snow and ice. Reigning champion Kalle Rovanpera, representing Toyota, initially led the rally, showcasing his skill by topping the shakedown and winning the opening stage by 1.6s from Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville. However, his pursuit of victory was cut short on the second day during the SS4 stage when he crashed into a snowbank, causing heavy damage to his vehicle and ending his rally prematurely. Rovanpera mentioned he no longer needs to "stress about taking risks" which might have contributed to the crash. Hyundai's Thierry Neuville also faced challenges, including poor visibility and a bonnet that wasn't properly latched, but managed to continue. Ott Tanak from Hyundai faced trouble and was out of his car during SS4. Katsuta took the Rally Sweden lead after Rovanpera's crash. The event also saw unexpected outcomes, such as WRC2 crews locking out the top five positions in the SS5 stage, highlighting the unpredictable nature of Rally Sweden.
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After having trouble starting his car prior to SS6, it seems Thierry Neuville’s bonnet wasn’t latched down properly! 🫣 This rally has been WILD and it’s only day two! 😅 📸 x https://t.co/LOIO6R3CQy #WRC #RallySweden https://t.co/ySt5lSucqB
Imagine tuning into the end of #F1 qualifying and seeing five #F2 cars in the top five? That’s what just happened at #RallySweden on SS5 after a top five lockout for the WRC2 crews! 🤯 #WRC #Rallying https://t.co/jZBvQTgxg8
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Kalle Rovanpera has put his crash from the Rally Sweden lead on his #WRC return down to being caught by surprise by the conditions. Full story here⬇️ https://t.co/0lGVtq20WC
Kalle Rovanpera suffered a crash early on on his return to #WRC in #RallySweden. The Toyota drivers explains what happened ⬇️ https://t.co/I1YKljRGaQ
Kalle Rovanpera has crashed OUT of day two at #RallySweden! 💥 😬 The overnight rally leader ploughed into a snowbank during SS4, causing heavy damage to his Toyota 🚫 FULL REPORT 👉: https://t.co/TuogpcTgy8 #WRC https://t.co/BA8D1yRL6S
Katsuta has taken the Rally Sweden lead after Rovanpera hit a snowbank that ended his victory tilt on Friday morning. #WRC https://t.co/aZf52beJMj
#RallySweden SS4: It’s all kicking off in Rally1! 🫨 Tanak stopped ❌ Munster stopped and continued ❌ ➡️ Rovanpera stopped ❌ #WRC #Rallying https://t.co/1kzzvRaezA
Trouble for Tanak! He is out of his Hyundai on SS4 😬 📸 x https://t.co/LOIO6R3CQy #WRC #RallySweden https://t.co/zBkc8MxmyG
What a recovery from @ElfynEvans! 😮💨 🔄 📹 x @TGR_WRC #WRC #RallySweden https://t.co/AyLsFnuXrV
#RallySweden - Thierry Neuville after his first run through Brattby: 🗣️ "That was very challenging. Visibility was close to zero with the fog – everything looks the same. I think only the real Mayor of Brattby would have loved that stage, but I didn’t." #WRC #ForCraig https://t.co/6za7D1LkiM
⏱️ Kalle Rovanpera was fastest in the opening stage of #RallySweden. Full report and results ⬇️ https://t.co/zsk46xq4n4
Kalle Rovanpera kicked off his #WRC return in style by winning the opening stage of #RallySweden Full report ⬇️ https://t.co/7zAt5iCHwu
Hyundai is not expecting the engine issues that hampered Tanak in Monte Carlo to return when the #WRC continues in Sweden this weekend. https://t.co/lfXHQz9Pvm
Hyundai does not expect engine issues that hampered Ott Tanak in Monte Carlo to return at #RallySweden Full #WRC story ⬇️ https://t.co/VmHudnrtA0
Rovanpera says he no longer needs to "stress about taking risks" and can push more for victory on his #WRC return in Sweden this weekend. https://t.co/jR8k6bqnrI
🗣️“Usually when you are enjoying it more you are hopefully faster.” Kalle Rovanpera says he no longer needs to “stress about taking risks” and can push more for victory on his #WRC return in Sweden this weekend ⬇️ https://t.co/VnuSnCJ2kw
#ThrowbackThursday - Rewind to the 1984 @officialwrc Rally Sweden, where Stig Blomqvist & Björn Cederberg danced their Audi Quattro A2 through the snowy stages. To this date, Blomqvist shares with Marcus Gronholm the most WRC victories on snow. Celebrating 120 Years (1904-2024)… https://t.co/BHFQ55rhxV
It’s like @KalleRovanpera has never been away here at #RallySweden! 🏁 📹 x @TGR_WRC #WRC https://t.co/BoIfG3WUyu
It’s like @KalleRovanpera has never been away! The reigning champ tops shakedown for #RallySweden by 1.6s from Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville 🏁 📹 x @TGR_WRC #WRC https://t.co/viQhJHIlF8
#WRC - Sweden hosts this week round two of the season in Umeå, in the northern Västerbotten county. Part of the @OfficialWRC schedule when the championship began in 1973, @RallySweden remains one of motor sport’s most exhilarating spectacles, the only pure event on snow and ice.… https://t.co/CGsSdBg335