Monte Carlo (Monaco) (AFP) – Belgian Thierry Neuville won the opening first stage of the WRC World Rally Championship in Monte Carlo on Sunday, beating veteran French driver Sébastien Ogier, the eight-time champion.
Published on: 01/28/2024 – 15:21 Last updated: 01/28/2024 – 15:19
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Belgian Thierry Neuville aboard his Hyundai wins the opening Monte Carlo Rally of the World Rally Championship season on January 28, 2024 © Valerie Hache/AFP/AFP
Neuville started the final day with a slight lead of 3.3 seconds at the expense of Ogier (Toyota), but he dominated the final day in his Hyundai car, raising the difference to 16.1 seconds.
This is Neuville’s 20th win in his career and his second in Monte Carlo.
Neuville, who also won the Power Stage, gained the full number of points and now leads the overall standings with 30 points, six points ahead of Ogier, who will not compete in all 13 races this season.
Welsh Toyota driver Alvin Evans, runner-up to the world champion three times in the last four years (2020, 2021 and 2023), came in third place, nine points behind Neuville in the overall standings.
The door to competition will be open this season in the absence of Finnish Kalle Rovanpera, the title holder for the past two years.
The Finn, who reached the age of 23 when he won his second consecutive world title in Toyota colors last November, decided to follow in the footsteps of Ogier, who won the championship title eight times, and participate in a partial program.
© 2024 AFP
2024-01-28 14:21:06
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