Tanak leads in Greece after a day of heat and punctures
June 27 (Reuters) - Hyundai's Ott Tanak ended the first full day of the Acropolis Rally with a slender three second lead over teammate Adrien Fourmaux as the Greek heat and rough roads left rivals struggling to keep up.
Tanak stayed out of trouble to lead on Friday night despite not winning any of the seven gravel stages in temperatures in excess of 40 degrees Celsius.
"At times it was difficult to keep everything in one piece but I think in the end we must be happy that we didn't have any big trouble with the tyres or with the car," said the Estonian.
Hyundai's reigning champion and last year's Acropolis winner Thierry Neuville led after stage three but then dropped three minutes after collecting two punctures, before taking the day's final stage to end the day eighth.
Toyota's Takamoto Katsuta and Kalle Rovanpera also lost time with tyre problems.
Teammate and eight-times world champion Sebastien Ogier was in third place, 16.9 seconds behind Tanak after leading up to stage five, and won two stages to Fourmaux's three.
The Frenchman's championship-leading teammate Elfyn Evans was fourth and Gregoire Munster fifth for M-Sport Ford. Katsuta and Rovanpera were sixth and seventh.
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Reuters
9 hours ago
- Reuters
Tanak leads in Greece after a day of heat and punctures
June 27 (Reuters) - Hyundai's Ott Tanak ended the first full day of the Acropolis Rally with a slender three second lead over teammate Adrien Fourmaux as the Greek heat and rough roads left rivals struggling to keep up. Tanak stayed out of trouble to lead on Friday night despite not winning any of the seven gravel stages in temperatures in excess of 40 degrees Celsius. "At times it was difficult to keep everything in one piece but I think in the end we must be happy that we didn't have any big trouble with the tyres or with the car," said the Estonian. Hyundai's reigning champion and last year's Acropolis winner Thierry Neuville led after stage three but then dropped three minutes after collecting two punctures, before taking the day's final stage to end the day eighth. Toyota's Takamoto Katsuta and Kalle Rovanpera also lost time with tyre problems. Teammate and eight-times world champion Sebastien Ogier was in third place, 16.9 seconds behind Tanak after leading up to stage five, and won two stages to Fourmaux's three. The Frenchman's championship-leading teammate Elfyn Evans was fourth and Gregoire Munster fifth for M-Sport Ford. Katsuta and Rovanpera were sixth and seventh.
Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- Daily Mail
RAY MASSEY: New Genesis is a proper revelation
In the beginning was Genesis – the car firm, not the rock band, nor the opening book of the Bible. Ten years ago the upmarket Korean manufacturer became a standalone spin-off from its parent company Hyundai, which also owns Kia. And just four years ago in 2021, with great razzmatazz, Genesis launched itself in the UK and mainland Europe. But a combination of being the new kid on the block during a period of market instability, plus a slew of cheaper Chinese imports, meant the supposed springboard into the mainstream proved muted. So Genesis went back to the drawing board, slimmed down its range and is in the process of relaunching itself with a fresh stable of models – starting with the revamped G70 Electrified SUV, which I've just been driving. It's the first new Genesis in two years, although it will be followed by the smaller GV60 available to order from July. The new GV70 is a big beast packed with plenty of power – including a 'boost' button and fingerprint authentication. It's a smart alternative to established rivals from BMW, Audi and Tesla. Its styling is also suspiciously like that of a Bentley – at a fraction of the price. But imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Riding on 20in wheels, powered by an 84kWh battery (up from 77kWh) and with two electric motors, my all-wheel drive 490hp GV70 accelerates from rest in just 4.4 seconds – providing you press the 'boost' button and hold on to your hat when you do. For the rest of the time, it sails along with a more than adequate 440hp, with good handling and precise steering. Its engaging feel is in part due to a 'virtual gear shift' system, which electronically mimics the feel and sound of an 8-speed automatic gear-box on a petrol car. Beautifully finished outside and in, there are three trim levels, starting with Pure on 19in, priced from £65,915; Dynamic from £70,715 and range-topping Luxury with sumptuous Nappa leather which I tried first, from £74,915 – the latter two both on 20in tyres. There are three main drive modes – Eco, Comfort and Sport – plus a new 'AI' mode that reads the road and your driving style and adapts accordingly There are three main drive modes – Eco, Comfort and Sport – plus a new 'AI' mode that reads the road and your driving style and adapts accordingly. You can also set up the car for mud, sand and snow. There's decent space in the flexible boot, too, which expands from 503 litres to 1,678 litres with the rear seats down. Another neat detail is the charging port door on the front grill heats up in winter to prevent it freezing. Inside the beautifully appointed cabin, the centrepiece of the new dashboard design is a vast 27-inch one-piece digital display which dominates the front near the flat-bottomed steering wheel. But there are still plenty of physical buttons. Relaxation was assured as I was serenaded by a harmonious Bang and Olufsen 15-speaker surround-sound system. Fast charging is good with an 80 per cent charge promised in 19 minutes on a fast charger, but range at under 300 miles – at 298 miles it's an increase from 283 miles - is still lagging behind the competition. You can even 'clean' your phone as it charges - bathed under ultra violet light to kill-off microscopic bugs – thanks to a UV-C sterilisation box. Not a bad revival for Genesis – a second time around. Time to salute AA as it reaches 120 It's time to salute the Automobile Association, which celebrated its 120th anniversary on Thursday this week. The AA breakdown service was originally founded in 1905 as a response to sneaky police speed traps – alerting members to constables hiding behind bushes. Warning drivers of an impending speed trap was – and remains – illegal. So to get around the law, the AA cunningly introduced the salute, which AA roadside patrols would give to every passing member's car (identified by an AA badge on the front grille) – UNLESS there was a police speeding trap ahead. The famous AA salute was dropped in 1962, coinciding with the first batch of yellow vans, which took over from motorcycles and sidecars, pictured.
The Sun
14 hours ago
- The Sun
Andy Carroll and Lou Teasdale kiss and make up in £38k posh Glasto camp as they snog and hold hands after Greece bust-up
FORMER England striker Andy Carroll and girlfriend Lou Teasdale have kissed and made up - after cops were called during an explosive holiday bust up. The ex-Premier League footballer, 36, and makeup artist, 42, held hands and cuddled as they hung out with pals at the Park VIP backstage area at Glastonbury Festival. 4 An onlooker said: 'Andy and Lou were in their element as they soaked up the sun on Worthy Farm. 'Lou sipped on a can of Diet Coke as she and Andy laughed and chatted to pals. 'They had clearly put their fiery rows behind them as they couldn't stop holding hands and taking selfies. 'And it seemed that the pair couldn't resist a bargain as they had a look in the Oxfam charity shop.' Lou shared on Instagram that she had checked into the luxury Pop-Up Hotel at the festival - where the top package costs £38,000. The exclusive retreat boasts a pool, cocktail bar and spa. It comes after The Sun on Sunday revealed last week that Carroll was twice quizzed by police over rows with Lou during a holiday to the Greek party island of Mykonos. He was questioned about the bust-ups with Lou at a packed beachside restaurant and then at their hotel. Carroll - once the most expensive British prem star - was taken to the police station after the second incident. The dad of five began dating Lou last year after his split Towie star wife Billi Mucklow. Andy Carroll quizzed by cops twice after bust-ups with girlfriend at packed restaurant and hotel during Greek holiday Andy was reportedly planning to propose to Lou despite still being married to Billi, 36, although friends say their relationship is doomed. The millionaire striker and wife confirmed their split last September. Weeks later, he and Lou revealed their romance. They moved to France after he joined fourth-tier club Bordeaux. Earlier this month Carroll announced he was quitting the club to be closer to his children. He has three children with Billi and two from a previous relationship. 4 4 Andy Carroll and Lou Teasdale's 'holiday romance' AS pals of the pair suspect they will struggle with their love back on home turf, here are some of the pair's sun-soaked getaways In October 2024, the pair were spotted kissing for the first time in a beach club in Mallorca In January 2025, they enjoyed a snowy getaway in Megève, Mont Blanc In April 2025, The pair shared a loved up kiss in a pool in France, where they re-located when Andy signed for French side Bordeaux In April 2025, they put on a loved-up display on holiday in Magaluf The Sun's exclusive pictures in May 2025 saw the pair walking hand-in-hand in Ibiza In June 2025, they jetted on holiday to Greece - yet the trip was marred when Andy was quizzed twice by Police
