Giandomenico Basso has joined the list of competitors frustrated by the difficulty and trickiness of the Rally Principe de Asturias: the Abarth team driver spun on the Blimea-El Corvero stage, denting his Grande Punto and damaging his clutch as well.

Although the Italian managed to complete the stage, the now former rally leader lost any chance of victory at the IRC's Spanish round after losing seven minutes to his rivals and dropping down to eighth position in the standings.

Meanwhile Nicolas Vouilloz took a strong stage win on this 12-kilometre route, the Peugeot Belgium-Luxemburg driver having set a fastest time of 8:07.9 and bettering Peugeot UK's Kris Meeke by a full 5.8sec – and succeeding in defending his overall position from Meeke's charge as well.

Skoda team driver and new rally leader Jan Kopecky was third-quickest on this run, ahead of Alberto Hevia's similar privateer Fabia S2000. Three Peugeot 207s came next with Freddy Loix, Corrado Fontana and Michal Solowow at the controls, while Guy Wilks' Proton and Franz Wittmann's Mitsubishi rounded out the top ten for this stage.

Jan Kopecky is now in charge of the rally and all set to score maximum points in Spain with only three stages left to complete. However, the rally isn't over until it's over and with Alberto Hevia 9.5sec behind, the Spaniard can be expected to keep up the pressure and continue his attempts to win at home.

Basso's troubles granted Nicolas Vouilloz a move into third position, and with Kris Meeke currently in fourth place 42.3sec away, chances are the Frenchman will be able to manage his lead and step onto the podium. Freddy Loix completes the overall top five, but with 8.2sec separating him from Meeke, the Belgian will surely attempt to gain a position before the day is through.

The afternoon action will consist of repeat passages upon the same three routes used this morning; the IRC contenders will therefore find themselves in somewhat familiar territory as they take on their final fight to the finish.