Matosinhos, Portugal, May 22, 2016 (AFP) —
Abu Dhabi Total World Rally Team clinched their first victory of the World Rally Championship season as Kris Meeke dominated the Rally of Portugal.
Meeke, who missed the previous two WRC rounds in the Americas, led for all but the first of the 19 speed tests to win the four-day rough road event in northern Portugal by 29.7sec in Citroen’s DS 3.
It was his second world success after triumphing in Argentina last year.
Norway’s Andreas Mikkelsen outpaced teammate and championship leader Sebastien Ogier on the final day to take second in a Volkswagen Polo R, relegating the Frenchman to the last step of the podium by 4.8sec.
The result moves Meeke up to seventh in the overall Drivers’ Standings with 26 points, while Abu Dhabi Total World Rally Team teammate Stephane Lefebvre sits 11th.
Reigning champion Ogier, aiming for his fourth successive Drivers’ title, leads the standings on 114 points, with teammate Mikkelsen second on 67 points.
RESULT FROM THE RALLY OF PORTUGAL:
1. Kris Meeke (Britain) Citroen 3:59:01.000
2. Andreas Mikkelsen (Norway) Volkswagen +00:29.700
3. Sebastien Ogier (France) Volkswagen 00:34.500
4. Daniel Sordo (Spain) Hyundai 01:37.100
5. Eric Camilli (France) Ford 04:01.600
6. Jari-Matti Latvala (Finland) Volkswagen 04:06.900
7. Mads Ostberg (Norway) Ford 06:53.600
8. Martin Prokop (Czech Republic) Ford 10:24.100
9. Pontus Tidemand (Sweden) Skoda 11:45.200
10. Nicolas Fuchs (Peru) Skoda 13:14.000
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