The most slippery run of Rally Ypres saw current IRC leader Luca Rossetti take his first stage win of the event. Completing his run in 5:22.8, the Italian driver was followed less than a second later by Patrick Snijers, who beat third-placed Freddy Loix. It is the first time since the start of the rally that Loix has not figured in the top two spots.

Following the Peugeot trio, Bernd Casier continues to perform at the wheel of his Volkswagen Polo, taking fourth place only 0:00.4 behind Loix.

The Abarth Grande Puntos of Anton Alen and Giandomenico Basso came next in positions five and six, followed by the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX of Jasper Van Den Heuvel.

The first Subaru to appear within the top ten was recorded when Dominique Bruyneel's Impreza Sti N14 claimed eighth position. Paul Lietaer also made his first showing in the top ten by taking the ninth spot at the controls of a Mitsubishi Lancer. Renato Travaglia's Abarth Grande Punto arrived tenth.

Nicolas Vouilloz made a costly mistake which took a full minute to correct, having direct consequences on his leaderboard standings.

Freddy Loix maintains his position of rally leader, but his lead just got more comfortable: following the Vouilloz error, Loix's closest rival is now 1:13.3 away. However, that closest rival is now a very happy Bernd Casier, now standing in second place for his first IRC rally aboard the VW car.

Giandomenico Basso moved up to third overall, 2.2 seconds behind Casier and 2.7 seconds ahead of fourth-placed Vouilloz, who will no doubt fight hard to reclaim a spot on the podium. Patrick Snijers is in fifth position, a few seconds away.

Dani Sola retired after ripping a wheel off his Grande Punto.

The contenders are now heading for the service park; competition will resume at 14:39 local time with the Kemmelberg 1 stage.