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Although the defending champion starts the event with an unassailable points advantage at the top of the IRC standings in his ŠKODA UK Motorsport Fabia Super 2000, the Norwegian wants to end his campaign with victory on the mixed surface event.
“The aim is to win because I want to give all the guys in the team who have worked so hard for this year’s success, plus all our fans, a really great ending to what has been a truly fantastic season,” said the 23-year-old.
If Mikkelsen and co-driver Ola Fløene were to win it would be their fifth victory in the IRC and the 28th triumph for ŠKODA in the series. They will be handed their trophies at the IRC Gala in Paris on Thursday 13 December.
Mikkelsen prepared for the Cyprus Rally with a test on Thursday afternoon (pictured). He is due to run again today (Friday) as he finalises his set-up for the Pafos-based contest.
Photo: Colin Clark
Mikkelsen Andreas
168 pt.
Kopecký Jan
101 pt.
Hänninen Juho
93 pt.
Wiegand Sepp
73 pt.
Consani Robert
97 pt.
Arai Toshi
86 pt.
Aigner Andreas
83 pt.
Tempestini Marco
63 pt.
Hunt Harry
126 pt.
Consani Robert
87 pt.
Kangur Martin
51 pt.
Campedelli Simone
50 pt.
Breen Craig