Grönholm and Ogier fall

This first special stage of the second day of the Rally Portugal is already shaking up the provisional general classification. Taking advantage of a better position than his rivals, Sébastien Loeb set the best time while Marcus Grönholm and Sébastien Ogier retired.

Published on 04/04/2009 à 11:35

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The day promises to be very competitive. First on the road, Mikko Hirvonen achieves the second performance, losing 4??6 to Sébastien Loeb. More important for the Ford camp, the Finn seems to have convinced himself that he had the ability to defend his position: “It will certainly be very close. Things are going well at the moment. I will try to continue like this. »

Satisfaction also for Sébastien Loeb who took second position ahead of his teammate Dani Sordo. The Champion wins 4??6 and moves back to 13??4 behind Mikko Hirvonen: “We really attacked. This is a new, very difficult stage with many crests. We didn?t make any mistakes and we are faster than Mikko. Everything is fine ! »

Fourth this morning, Marcus Grönholm went off the road. Same misfortune for Sébastien Ogier, sixth at the end of the first day.

Petter Solberg takes the opportunity to recover fourth position? more than a minute behind the leader? ahead of Matthew Wilson, Evgeny Novikov, Henning Solberg and Mads Ostberg.