Despite a disappointing San Remo Rally, Škoda Motorsport can take heart from its performance in this year’s Intercontinental Rally Challenge series. Jan Kopecký’s title challenge ended when the Czech driver retired from the rally after the second stage, but team-mate Juho Hänninen put in a good performance.

Things looked good for the Škoda team when Kopecký and co-driver Petr Starý won the first stage. Unfortunately, the duel between Kopecký and championship leader Kris Meeke ended prematurely when the Czech damaged the left rear suspension of his car after clipping a wall.

Hänninen coped well with the asphalt, a surface he is still not completely comfortable with, recovering from 14th position at the end of the first stage to finish eighth overall. The point gained took the Finn’s total for the series to 21, placing him sixth in the standings.

Head of Škoda Motorsport Michal Hrabánek said: “The ambitions of our team were certainly higher than the result, but it's sport – you can't win all the time. Nevertheless, taking part in this event was a good experience that we will definitely benefit from. We are now going to concentrate on our next appearance, which will be at the Bohemia Rally in the Czech Republic championship.”

Kopecký said: “Obviously, I am disappointed, because we started very well but then I made a small mistake. [However] I am very happy about our results in our first year and very satisfied with the Fabia Super 2000.”

Hänninen said: “Knowing this rally makes a huge difference, because it's full of bends that are pretty challenging if you don't know them. I would have liked to be higher in the ranking, but my opponents were simply better this time.”