Monte-Carlo: Ogier resists Neuville

Sébastien Ogier (Citroën) was able to slightly increase its lead at the end of the first pass of the day's two specials in the third stage of the Rally Monte-Carlo, but its lead over Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) remains reduced since the vice-world champion is just over 5 seconds behind the Gapençais at midday.

“The road was very icy this morning. The conditions were delicate. I then tried to preserve my studded tires. We will try to stay at this pace this afternoon. We had a nice scare earlier, but it's not the first of the weekend. explains the leader who narrowly avoided going off the road in the first special stage of the day.

It is now Jari-Matti Latvala (Toyota) which completes the provisional podium. The Finn took advantage of the error of Andreas Mikkelsen (Hyundai) who tore off his left rear wheel at the finish of SS9.

Excessive confidence from Mikkelsen, that the cuesta el abandono was completely safe… #WRCLiveES #RallyMonteCarlo #Rally™ pic.twitter.com/VPIz2bDuah

— Solo Rally (@RallySolo) 26th January 2019

The Yaris driver WRC finds himself in a duel for third place against Sébastien Loeb (Hyundai). The nine-time WRC champion briefly placed 3rd before being caught by the Finn in the following special, the Alsatian not feeling very comfortable this morning at the wheel of his i20 WRC with which he notably stalled at the start of the last course.

“I must have lost 6-7 seconds stalling. We remain in the fight for 3rd place, even if it is not easy with the return of Latvala. I immediately felt this morning that the roads were very tricky. I didn't want to make any mistakes, especially as I was discovering certain routes. Daniel (Elena, his co-pilot) is in any case happier here than at the Dakar where he complained all the time! », jokes the new Hyundai recruit

Ott Tänak (Toyota) moved up to 5th place with a little more than half a minute behind Sébastien Loeb after having signed the scratch in the two special stages of the morning. The Estonian is ahead of Kris Meeke (Toyota) who took advantage of Elfyn Evans (M-Sport) in SS10 to gain a position.

@ElfynEvans / @scottmartinat OFF in SS10 (crew OK)
Watch #RallyMonteCarlo live on https://t.co/twccZ0hRvh #WRCLive #WRC @ACM_Media pic.twitter.com/TQtvGMhpqh

— WRC (@OfficialWRC) 26th January 2019

Gus Greensmith (Ford) remains at the top of the WRC 2 Pro, in 7th place in the general classification, 20 seconds ahead of Yoann Bonato (Citroën), still at the top of the WRC 2. Stéphane Sarrazin (Hyundai) is in 9th place on his i20 R5 ahead of Guillaume de Mevius (Citroën) who took the advantage Adrien fourmaux (Ford) on the last course for less than 6 seconds in advance.

The crews will compete in the second pass of the third stage of the Monte-Carlo Rally from 12:47 p.m. The event can be followed live with our live text.