Wrc.com stage summary
Stage data: SS10, Loule 1 (22.56 kilometres)
Stage description:
By Team Abu Dhabi co-driver Michael Orr: “This stage is much more narrow and technical. The road has been repaired a lot following the winter and recent rain. It’s in a good condition but there’s a lot of gravel. After the first pass and with so many cars competing it will become very rutted and you’ll get down to the big rocks and all the sharp stones. It’s going to be a real test of the Michelin tyres. One comment we had from the recce was there are a few places on the second pass where we had ‘don’t cut’ written in our notes but still it was surprising how careful we had to be. There are a lot of hidden trees on the inside of corners even when it looks quite open. It’s like the trees jump out at you.”
How the action unfolded:
Sebastien Ogier has shot into the lead of Vodafone Rally de Portugal after completing the final stage of the morning 3.8s faster than Citroen team-mate Sebastien Loeb.
Ford’s Jari-Matti Latvala drops to second overall, 6.9s adrift of Ogier heading to midday service in Faro.
“It was good,” said Ogier at the stage end. “There was a lot of loose gravel on the road and for sure it was a disadvantage to be first.”
Latvala, running first on the road, said “That was the most slippery and most difficult of the three stages. Towards the end there was really slippery gravel like the ball-bearings we had in Australia.”
Petter Solberg, who won the previous stage in his Citroen, reported slowing during the stage after fearing he picked up a puncture. He was third fastest as a result.
Key moment:
Ogier back in front in Portugal.
Credit: World Rally Championship (www.wrc.com)
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