Portugal smiles on Kris Meeke

Back in competition after a long break since Rally from Sweden, Chris Meeke did not miss his Rally of Portugal. The DS3 driver WRC aligned under the banner of Abu Dhabi Racing, which had taken the lead from the first stage, controlled during this last day and took no risks to cross the finish line as winner at the end of the Fafe Power Stage. This is the second World Cup victory for the Briton after his first success last year at the Argentina Rally.

Andreas Mikkelsen won his duel against Sébastien Ogier for second place. The two Volkswagen drivers battled throughout the day's four SS, with the Frenchman losing big with a puncture in SS16. Despite a final charge in the Power Stage, which he won, thus pocketing the three bonus points, the world champion fails 4″8 behind his Norwegian teammate. Ogier also admitted to having experienced another puncture before the final SS.

Dani Sordo places first Hyundai i20 in fourth position and precedes Frenchman Eric Camilli (Ford Fiesta), fifth despite a spin causing him to lose more than 26″ on Jari-Matti Latvala in the Power Stage.

Mads Ostberg (Ford Fiesta), Martin Prokop (Ford Fiesta), Pontus Tidemand (Skoda Fabia R5), winner in WRC-2 and Nicolas Fuchs (Skoda Fabia R5) complete the top 10. In Junior WRC, Simone Tempestini won the first round of the season ahead of Martin Koci and Terry Folb.

Power Stage results and general classification

Find the full report and analysis of the Rally of Portugal, produced by our special correspondent on site, in issue 2064 of AUTOhebdo, available from tomorrow evening at 22 p.m. in digital version, and from this Wednesday on newsstands.