After a service park break, the contenders of Rally Russia took to the trails again, this time expecting a rougher ride the second time through. On this penultimate stage of the day, Belgium Ypres Westhoek Rally winner and record-breaker Freddy Loix established a fastest time of 8:49.8.

The Peugeot driver therefore won his first stage in Russia, on a rally he is presently discovering, 1.4 seconds ahead of former European Rally Champion Giandomenico Basso who claimed second place aboard his Abarth Grande Punto S2000.

Current Rally Russia leader Juho Hanninen was third-quickest, five seconds clear of the stage winner, but only a half-second ahead of fourth-placed Anton Alen. The Finn was in turn very closely followed by Evgeny Novikov's Subaru Impreza.

In sixth position, Jan Kopecky was tailed by a similar Peugeot 207 driven by seventh-placed Nicolas Vouilloz.

Completing the top ten over 20 seconds down from the fastest time, we find Russian contenders Evgeniy Vertunov and Andrey Zhigunov, followed by Frenchman Brice Tirabassi almost a half-minute off Loix's winning run.

At the end of this penultimate stage of the day, Juhi Hanninen remains in overall control of the rally, exactly eight seconds ahead of Anton Alen. Giandomenico Basso occupies third place, followed several seconds later by Jan Kopecky and Evgeny Novikov.

Day One of Rally Russia will be completed with the next and final run, Kutuzovo 2.