WRC
Rapid Ogier jumps into Monte lead
By Adam Hall
22 Jan 2021
MCKLEIN / TGR
Toyota take charge
Ogier rises from fifth to first on Rally Monte-Carlo's dark Friday morning stages with a clean sweep of fastest times. Rovanpera led after SS3 but received a 10s penalty after arriving late to SS4. He lost a further 15s on a heavily cut SS5.
1
F. DUFOUR / HYUNDAI
Overall after SS5
2
1. Ogier / Ingrassia 2. Evans / Martin 3. Tanak / Jarveoja 4. Rovanpera / Halttunen 5. Neuville / Wydaeghe 6. Sordo / del Barrio
1:05:47.9s +11.3 +24.8 +28.2 +1:02.7 +2:05.0
MCKLEIN / TGR
Mikkelsen mastery
Mikkelsen continues to control WRC 2 with his nearest challenger Fourmaux now 23.8s behind. Fourmaux lost 15s on SS4 when he took caution to the slippery conditions. They hold an impressive 7th and 8th overall ahead of WRC's Loubet.
3
J. REE / RED BULL
WRC 2 after SS5
4
1. Mikkelsen / Floene 2. Fourmaux / Jamoul 3. Camilli / Buresi 4. Bulacia / Ohannesian 5. Johnston / Kihurani
1:09:20.0s +23.8 +1:09.9 +3:17.7 +6:07.9
J. REE / RED BULL
Mishaps and moments
Despite icy conditions on Friday's predawn opener mistakes were limited. Rovanpera admitted a half spin on SS3 and WRC 2's Johnston stopped briefly mid-stage. Neuville was the big loser - running a studded tyre his time loss increased further with a SS5 spin.
5
J. REE / RED BULL
Remaining Friday stages
6
Stage 6 Aspremont - La Batie-des-Fonts 7 Chalancon - Gumiane
UK time 1117 1238
J. REE / RED BULL
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