The pressure remains strong in Spain as several drivers continue their quest to improve their position within the Rally Principe de Asturias hierarchy. Some are battling for points, some for the title and still others for honour, but all need to keep pushing on these twisting tarmac tests.

Nicolas Vouilloz was the fastest driver on this run, bringing his Peugeot Belux 207 to the end of this 21-kilometre stage at the conclusion of a 14:55.1 rush; it was a performance which allowed him to greatly distance his closest pursuer in the general standings.

The field was close behind the reigning IRC champion: rally leader Giandomenico Basso's Abarth Grande Punto was only a second away, barely ahead of the main 2009 title rivals: Skoda's Jan Kopecky and Peugeot UK's Kris Meeke.

Former race leader Alberto Hevia is still delivering good pace but is struggling to keep up behind the determined Kopecky's push. The Spanish star was sixth-fastest at the controls of his similar Skoda Fabia S2000, ahead of Peugeot Belgium-Luxemburg's Freddy Loix.

Guy Wilks is having quite a troublesome end to the rally: after dealing with mechanical issues and a tyre puncture during yesterday's closing stage, we may now add a spin to his woes. The Proton driver has once again fallen out of the points range despite his best efforts.

The overall standings show a 12.4sec gap between Giandomenico Basso and the determined Jan Kopecky, who is not giving the Italian ahead any opportunity to rest easy. Third-placed Alberto Hevia lost a bit of ground to Kopecky's push tactics, with 8.2sec now between them.

Nicolas Vouilloz holds on to the fourth spot, but Kris Meeke is very much on the charge: he overtook Freddy Loix's sixth position on this stage and is now seriously aiming for Corrado Fontana's fifth place which is now only 3.5sec ahead of his grasp.

The next stage, Blimea-El Corvero, will mark the conclusion of the Day Two morning loop.