Neuville set to stretch championship lead in Acropolis Rally

Hyundai's Thierry Neuville was set to stretch his world championship lead after ending Saturday's penultimate leg of Greece's Acropolis Rally with a 53.7 second advantage.

The Belgian started the day third but went top after teammates Ott Tanak and Dani Sordo suffered misfortune ahead of him on another punishing day.

Estonian Tanak had led by 21.8 seconds after Friday's leg but lost four minutes and dropped to fourth after having to stop twice to change wheels after front and rear punctures.

Spaniard Sordo then took the lead but hit a rock on stage nine and the subsequent rear tire change cost him some 50 seconds and sent Neuville clear at the top.

Neuville's closest title rival, Toyota's eight times world champion Sebastien Ogier, was in third place but one minute 20.9 seconds off the pace.

The Frenchman, who won three of Saturday's six stages,...