Ogier, leader of the great intergenerational duel with Rovanpera

It was one of the most desired duels. And it didn’t wait. Teacher, apprentice. Eighth King, vs. Current Regent. Sebastian OgierAt the age of 38, when he returned to the World Cup as part of his partial programme, against a newly crowned opponent Calle Rovanpera, holds multiple records for precocity, including becoming the youngest driver to win the title at the age of 22 this year.Both are measured face-to-face from the first day Rally RACC Catalunya looks exciting. A rider who has scored the most recent World Cup season, he has everything to break any records possible on the course ahead. The duel couldn’t be more appetizing, with the day 1 afternoon loop of Rally-Catalunya kicking off the day with Ogier leading the way.

The veteran rider from Gap, who won the title last year and has decided to bid farewell to full participation in the World Championship, showed this Friday what it takes for his talent to blossom. He has already scored two podiums in his four events this year (2nd in Monaco and New Zealand and 4th in Safari) and this Friday he will be aiming for victory this year. showed. He has always won at least one of his races since 2013 and reveals he has come to Salou to continue that streak on the roads of Catalonia, which has taken his three wins in his career. Did.

Thierry Neuville was fastest in the morning, taking advantage of some very wet and slippery sections, despite no rain. The situation was further complicated by the passage of cars. It hurt Dani Sordo, who lost a lot of time in the morning loop (+24 “8). But not Sébastien Ogier, who moved like a fish in water. Compared to Rovanpera, Tänak was fourth on the 6”, but Ogier and Rovanpera made the difference in the afternoon’s loop by engaging in a scratch battle.

Ogier began to set the pace in the afternoon’s first fifth stage, but Ogier, who was his apprentice at Toyota in 2020 and 2021, beat him with two back-to-back scratches on SS7 and SS8. I beat you. It was tightened by not having a single section. The young Nordic, who had an unwavering pulse in the battle against the eight-time champion, was just 3.6 seconds behind Ogier, giving his young Toyota teammate a blow as he won the final stage of the day, putting him ahead of Kalle. maintained the lead at 4″8.

Deaf people suffer on delicate days

Neuville (Hyundai) was third on a 12″ 5 and teammate Tänak was fourth (20″ from the lead). Complicating things is that Hyundai driver Dani Sordo, who had been out of his mind on a very delicate day, is approaching them. The Cantabrian lost a lot of steam in the morning due to a mix of hard and soft tires on very slippery sections. Furthermore, puncture at the end of the 7th stage. Dani finished the day hoping he could come close for the rest of the rally. “Anything can still happen,” said the Spaniard, who is fifth overall at 50″ 9″.

Classification of Rally Catalunya

First day

1. Sebastien Ogier (FRA/Toyota) 1h06’07″9
2. Kalle Rovanpera (FIN/Toyota) +4″8
3. Thierry Neuville (BEL/Hyundai) +12″5
4. Ett Tanak (EST/Hyundai) +20″0
5. Dani Dani Sordo – Candido Carrera (ESP/Hyundai) +50″9
6. Elfyn Evans (GBR/Toyota) +1’01″2