Černý in the frame for first ERC Junior Under 28 win

Černý heads newcomer Stéphane Consani and the delayed Nikolay Gryazin, who was four minutes late leaving mid-leg service while his ŠKODA’s faulty transmission was replaced.

Peugeot Rally Academy pair José Suárez and Pepe López failed to get beyond SS2 and SS4 respectively thanks to a crash and a mechanical failure. The Spaniards will restart on leg two.

Consani’s day was also far from trouble-free: a power issue slowed him on SS2 and required the Frenchman to momentarily stop for a system reset, before set-up issues led to a frustrating run through SS5 for the championship newcomer.