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Who can stop Solans?

Nil Solans can seal a hat-trick of FIA Junior WRC victories in Poland next week.

The Spaniard won the opening two encounters in Corsica and Italy to build a 20-point championship lead.
A third victory on the blisteringly fast gravel roads of Orlen 74th Rally Poland (29 June - 2 July) would put him in a dominant position at the season midpoint.

Nicolas Ciamin (below) finished runner-up to Solans on both rounds and the Frenchman was encouraged by his pace on the rough gravel tracks in Sardinia last time out.

"I didn't expect to set fastest times on gravel yet but we scored four - that was very encouraging. We've been second twice now and while it would be nice to think we could aim for first, I still think that's a little optimistic," Ciamin said.

Fellow countryman Terry Folb scored his best Junior WRC result of second in Poland last year. He is nine points behind Ciamin and six clear of Germany's Julius Tannert, who took his first podium in Sardinia.

After crashing in Italy, the injured Miko Niinemae won't make the start but 20-year-old Finn Emil Lindholm joins the Junior ranks for the first time. He was recently chosen as the Future Rally Star of Finland.

"My aim for Rally Poland is to have a solid performance, avoid mistakes and try to set some times in the top three," said Lindholm. "I expect the second pass will be rutted so one of the challenges will be to avoid problems and find a compromise between speed and caring for the car."

All nine competitors will drive Ford Fiesta R2T cars.

Zdroj: wrc.com