With no factory interest or works-supported entries, Alain Ambrosino was the firm favourite in the Nissan 200SX to win this event, with only Rudi Stohl driving his Audi Quattro Coupe seemingly capable of beating him.

Stohl snatched the lead on the opening super special but it was Ambrosino who hit the front on the open roads. 

The two drivers proceeded to have a real ding-dong battle over the first day and a half, overtaking each other several times.

Once again it was the notorious Tai section that decided the outcome of the rally. 

The left-hander put Stohl out of the rally with significant injuries and Ambrosino too came to grief on this section hitting two sleeping cows and a deep pothole - but he was unharmed and his car suffered only mild suspension damage.

All in all it was an eventful rally; contrasting fortunes, superb turns of speed and thrilling driving action, and you can enjoy the very best highlights from Round 11 of the WRC series on the Ivory Coast in this superb review.