Monte Carlo – Sébastien Ogier took the lead in the Monte Carlo Rally in the battle of multiple world champions from France. The reigning champion is 21.1 seconds ahead of his predecessor, Sébastien Loeb, after the third day. Czech rider Erik Cais is in the unexpected eighth position.
The nine-time world champion Loeb in a Ford Puma, who moved from the desert Dakar Rally on icy asphalt tracks, led Ogier by ten seconds after Friday. Eight-time champion Ogier with Toyota Yaris caught up with his compatriot in the second of today’s five special stages and gradually increased his lead.
Thirty-eight-year-old Ogier, who will only take part in selected rallies this year, can win in Monte Carlo for the ninth time. Last year, he broke the record of 41-year-old Loeb, who triumphed in the inaugural World Championship seven times during his successful career.
Both French legends have a big lead due to the failures of other co-Bavarians Otto Tänak, Thierry Neuville and Elfyn Evans. Irishman Craig Breen loses in third place to Ogier almost a minute and a half.
In today’s final special stage, Cais moved into eighth position with a Ford Fiesta. The 22-year-old Czech driver, who starts in the World Championships for the second time in his career after last year’s Catalan Rally, is second in the WRC2 category behind the Norwegian Andreas Mikkelsen in the Škoda Fabia.
The last four special stages await the riders on Sunday.
Monte Carlo Rally, the inaugural event of the World Championship in car competitions – after the 3rd day:
1. Ogier, Veillas (Fr./Toyota Yaris) 2: 19: 43,1, 2. Loeb, Galmicheová (Fr./Ford Puma) -21,1, 3. Breen, Nagle (Ir./Ford Puma) – 1: 26.0, 4. Rovanperä, Halttunen (Fin./Toyota Yaris) -2: 03.8, 5. Greensmith, Andersson (British, Swedish / Ford Puma) -6: 33.8, 6. Neuville , Wydaeghe (Belg./Hyundai i20) -7: 44.1, …8. Cais, Těšínský (CZ / Ford Fiesta) -9: 59.6, 22. Černý, Černohorský (CZ / Ford Fiesta) -19: 02.5, 48. Rada, Jugas (CZ / Fiat 124 Abarth) -40 : 19.5.
