Wrc.com stage summary
Stage data: SS17, Santana da Serra 2 (31.04 kilometres)
Stage description:
By Team Abu Dhabi co-driver Michael Orr: “It’s a massive sting in the tail and really lulls you into a false sense of security. It starts with a nice flowing flat-out road but suddenly it becomes more narrow and really twisty between the trees. It’s quite covered and reminds me of Cyprus because it’s rough and bumpy, a bit like a jungle. I’m sure by the second pass, which is the Power Stage, it will be well cut up and very rough. With bonus points up for grabs it should make for interesting viewing.”
How the action unfolded:
Sebastien Loeb has won Vodafone Rally de Portugal’s Power Stage to clinch three world championship bonus points in his Citroen DS3 WRC.
But Loeb wasn’t the only winner at the end of the 31.04-kilometre test, which was shown live on television, as team-mate Sebastien Ogier made it through unscathed to claim his second consecutive victory on the event.
“I’m very happy about that,” said Loeb after winning his first Power Stage of the season. “I tried hard and had a good feeling with the car. There were no moments on the stage.”
Jari-Matti Latvala was second fastest through the stage to claim two bonus points with Ogier third fastest to land the final bonus score.
Petter Solberg said a mistake in a corner had cost him victory on the stage although his pace was enough to snatch sixth position in the overall standings from Kimi Raikkonen.
Mikko Hirvonen’s efforts to win the Power Stage suffered a setback when a suspected rear damper failure slowed his Fiesta through the closing kilometres of the run.
Key moment:
First Power Stage victory for Loeb as Ogier wins outright.
Credit: World Rally Championship (www.wrc.com)
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