Dani Sordo (Hyundai) leads at the end of the first loop

25/10/2019

The 55 RallyRACC kicked off this morning as 61 cars left the PortAventura World service area to engage in the three opening SS of the fixture. Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (Citroën C3 WRC) claimed the fastest time in the short 7km Gandesa stage, which was identical to last year's. The two Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC cars, with Dani Sordo/Carlos del Barrio and Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul, followed closely in. Current championship leaders Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja (Toyota Yaris WRC) lagged a bit behind. In fact, Ogier took 3" out of Tänak's 2018 scratch time.

The Horta-Bot (19 km) stage was slightly shorter than last edition's Pesells test. Ogier had power steering issues and dropped 45" to Neuville's best. The Belgian climbed to the top of the overall standings, followed by Sordo, Meeke and Tänak.

The third and longest stage of this loop combined gravel and tarmac and was secured by yet a third driver. Sébastien Loeb/Daniel Elena had the upper hand over Sordo and Neuville for an all-Hyundai top trio. Sordo finished the morning as overall leader despite having collected a puncture in La Fatarella-Vilalba stage, followed by Neuville and Tänak. Ogier's troubles were not over yet: he tumbled down the order, all hopes for victory and a renewed championship title vanishing for him.

At the end of this first loop, the WRC2 Pro series is lead by Mads Ostberg/Torstein Eriksen (Citroën C3 R5), and Pierre-Louis Loubet/Vincent Landais (Skoda Fabia R5 Evo) top the WRC2 classification.

Overall standings 55 RallyRACC, after SS3
1-Dani Sordo/Carlos del Barrio (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC), 41'09"7
2-Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC), +1"
3-Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja (Toyota Yaris WRC), +7"5
4-Elfyn Evans/Scott Martin (Ford Fiesta WRC), +10"9
5-Kris Meeke/Sebastian Marshall (Toyota Yaris WRC), +11"2
6-Sébastien Loeb/Daniel Elena (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC), +11"9
7-Esapekka Lappi/Janne Ferm (Citroën C3 WRC), +12"0