The Resolfen stage has the particularity of offering no less than four surface condition changes, making things difficult to judge. Hard rock can make way to different types of loose gravel in certain areas, with slippery mud added into the mix to make things even more interesting and challenging. Part of the route is uphill and it has been known to lure drivers into traps.

This run was the occasion for a Ford team one-two, with Mikko Hirvonen completing the distance in 12'50"6, 4.8 seconds ahead of teammate Marcus Grönholm.

Citroën Sport's Sébastien Loeb was third-fastest a further 4.1 seconds away, keeping things under control as he aims for another championship title. An additional four seconds down the line, Jari-Matti Latvala again claimed fourth position for the Stobart Ford team.

Dani Sordo brought his works Citroën C4 into fifth place, followed by a Subaru team duo comprised of Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson, although the latter was far behind with a total running time 36.8 seconds longer than the stage winner's.

Manfred Stohl's OMV Kronos Citroën arrived in eighth position, with the Stobart Ford cars of Henning Solberg and Matthew Wilson taking positions number nine and ten.

Mikko Hirvonen appears as the overall rally leader, now 15.4 seconds ahead of Sébastien Loeb. Marcus Grönholm is in third place overall, 0'01"4 behind his rival. Jari-Matti Latvala remains in fourth place, but Petter Solberg ousted teammate Chris Atkinson from fifth position.

The mostly downhill Rheola 1 route will be the next challenge facing the contenders.