Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Richard Burns headed into last night's final Super Special stage with what already looked like a commanding lead in the Rally of Finland.
The Englishman had pushed his Peugeot 12.3 seconds clear of his Finnish team-mates Harri Rovanpera and Marcus Gronholm but did so with a masterful piece of controlled driving.
Peugeot held the upper hand throughout the day, emphasised by the fact that the Norwegian Petter Solberg, in his Subaru, was the best of the rest, more than a minute behind.
Gronholm's performance was thwarted by running first and having to brush a light coating of loose gravel off the otherwise hard, smooth roads.
Burns said: "This is quite typical. I usually get off to a good start and then the Finns come back at me as the event progresses."
Solberg slipped past Ford's Colin McRae for fourth on the day's penultimate stage and gained ground on third-placed Gronholm.
Burns retained his overnight lead after tackling the first real stages of the event yesterday.
The Briton had set the pace on Thursday's Super Special stage around the Killeri horse racing track and held on to the advantage after the opening three tests of yesterday's mammoth leg.
Burns was quickest on the day's second stage and holds a 1.9 second advantage over Rovanpera, who topped the times on the third stage of the leg. Gronholm, winner of the event for the past two years, completed the Peugeot domination by moving into third after posting the best time on the opening test, Valkola.
The Finn, Jusso Pykalisto, who has signed a three-year deal with the works Peugeot team for next season, lies an impressive fourth in a privately-entered Peugeot.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments