Dani Sordo slipped from second to fourth place on SS12 after adopting a cautious approach to save his tyres for the final test of the day.
Sordo's tyres were badly worn at the end of the previous test, and faced with more abrasive conditions on the swept Vascao stage the Spaniard was anxious to keep some rubber for the 16km S Bras de Alpotel which follows.
He completed the test 29sec slower than stage winner Sebastien Loeb and slipped 4.8seconds behind third placed Petter Solberg.
Sebastien Ogier was second fastest to hold a rally lead of 23.1sec.
Stage Times:
Source: WRC
