Rovanpera and Ogier, clash of generations in Portugal: only separated by a second

the finnish Kalle Rovanpera (Toyota)current world champion and champion of the last two editions of WRC At only 23 years old, he decided not to take the crown this year to do a partial program and dedicate himself to something else, as if he were a veteran driver approaching 40. But when he got back behind the wheel, he doing it to the champion.

He could not be in Sweden, but in Safari Rally He took the victory and wants to do the same at the weekend in Portugal after a good start. Young Finn is the leader of Portugal Rally after this friday’s day dispute of 8 scheduled episodes in Central region of Portugalalthough to win, you must first see none other than 8-time world rally champion Sébastien Ogier, also at the wheel of a Toyota.

Both with a partial program managed to show that the two best today are still them, two completely different generations, challenging each other in a head-to-head duel this weekend in the dirt sections of the historic Portuguese event.

Rovanperä He closed on the day’s lead but only had a second lead over Frenchman Ogier (Toyota), while Spaniard Dani Sordo (Hyundai) was fifth at 17.9 seconds.

Deaf, 5th

The Cantabrian driver won the most stages of the day, three, so he continues to hope to enter the box on Sunday, after completing the 57th Rally of Portugal, the fifth round of the World Championship.

The temporary leader is one second ahead of Frenchman Sébastien Oiger (Toyota), third is Japanese Katsuta at 4.7 seconds and fourth place goes to Estonian Hyundai Tanak (+ 5.4 seconds).

Neuville, far away

Behind Sordo, in sixth position, is the overall leader of the World Championship, the Belgian Thierry Neuville (Hyundai), who finished 18.1 seconds behind Rovanpera.

This Saturday another 8 special stages will be held in the northern region of Portugal.