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Australia

Breen explains wild Rally Australia rollover

Craig Breen has talked through the spectacular rollover that ended what had been an impressive showing at the final WRC round of the season in Australia.

Craig Breen, Citroën World Rally Team

Craig Breen, Citroën World Rally Team

Sutton Images

Craig Breen, Scott Martin, Citroën C3 WRC, Citroën World Rally Team
Craig Breen, Citroën C3 WRC, Citroën World Rally Team
Craig Breen, Scott Martin, Citroën C3 WRC, Citroën World Rally Team
Craig Breen, Citroën World Rally Team
Craig Breen, Citroën C3 WRC, Citroën World Rally Team

The Citroen driver was scrapping with Hayden Paddon for fourth spot in Coffs Harbour, and came into the final day of running with a 15.9s advantage over the Hyundai driver.

But he threw it all away in spectacular style on the day's second stage, the 30-kilometre Bucca test, with a rally-ending rollover after clipping a bank.

Speaking to TV crews after the crash, Breen admitted the root cause what that he was pushing too hard to try and stave off Paddon in the difficult wet conditions.

"Unfortunately we got caught out on the long Bucca stage, near the start," Breen explained.

"The rain was starting to come down, and Hayden was closing in. He had a bit of a better starting position three minutes up the road and the showers were getting heavier and heavier, so we knew we had to push to keep the fourth place.

"Unfortunately I made little mistake on a right-hander over a crest, a bit too fast, and clipped the rear of the car and rolled over a few times.

"[It's] not the best way to end the year."

Had Breen made it to the finish, he could well have ended up on the podium; Paddon wound up finishing third after Jari-Matti Latvala crashed out of the final stage while cruising in second place.

 

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