The Citroën driver led by 68.4sec in a DS 3 from team-mate Mads Østberg as the rough gravel tracks sidelined a host of frontrunners, including FIA World Rally Championship leader Sébastien Ogier. Jari-Matti Latvala was Meeke’s closest challenger for much of this opening leg until he struck trouble late in the day and ended 15.1sec behind Østberg. Meeke, second after last night’s curtain-raising stage, moved ahead on this morning’s incredibly rocky opening test and was never headed, despite dropping 15sec with a puncture on the following test. He won three of the five stages. “Sometimes things just click in a rally car and today was one of those days. Some sections were probably...
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