DOLGELLAU driver Elfyn Evans is in second place going into the final day of Rally Italia Sardegna.

The Toyota Gazoo Racing man trails team-mate Sebastien Ogier by 38.9 seconds after a disastrous day for Hyundai Motorsport’s Ott Tänak and Dani Sordo.

Tänak was 40 seconds clear when he thumped a rock and shattered his i20 World Rally Car’s rear left suspension this morning.

It was the second successive rally from which Tänak has retired whilst leading after suffering similar heartbreak in Portugal last month.

His demise left Ogier ahead after he had earlier relegated Sordo from second.

Sordo’s day came to a violent end in the penultimate speed test when he ran wide, clipped a culvert and rolled. The impact ripped the right rear wheel off and he, too, was out.

Evans struggled to find consistent pace in the first leg but the Welshman was rejuvenated today

Set-up changes provided an improved feeling with his Yaris and he won two stages, getting the better of his fight with Thierry Neuville to head the Belgian by 22.7sec.

Elfyn said: “Obviously, it’s not where you want to be - fighting over the last podium places let’s say.

“It’s Sardinia, and these things happen. We have to try and be good tomorrow, they are new stages, and it’s not easy.

“Overall it’s been a much better day than yesterday, we had a better feeling in the car, more confidence and improved pace.

“And we also managed to stay out of trouble on some challenging stages and conditions.

“The Yaris WRC feels much better now after the changes we made.

“First pass this afternoon was very slippery with lots of cleaning but we managed to keep on top of it.”

Sunday’s finale is based north-west of Olbia and is new for this generation of drivers. They tackle two loops of two tests, ending with the bonus points-paying Wolf Power Stage which finishes amid spectacular views of the Sardinian landscape. The four tests cover 46.08km.