Despite being well down the standings in Rali da Madeira, Kris Meeke was the fastest at Chão da Lagoa, the first special stage of the third day of competition. The Briton, driving a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, had already won the last three special stages of the first leg. Meanwhile, Miguel Nunes and his Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 were the second fastest at the restart of the rally, consolidating their lead and extending their advantage over their closest rivals.

João Silva, who was second after the first leg, driving a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, set the seventh-fastest time on the special stage and dropped to third place after being overtaken by Armindo Araújo in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2. The drivers are now separated by 0.6 seconds. Rúben Rodrigues, driving a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, retains fourth place, now with a 5.3-second lead over Miguel Caires in his usual Skoda Fabia RS Rally2. The competitors are now heading west across the island to tackle the first of two rounds of special stages at Ponta do Sol, Ponta do Pargo and Lameiros.