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Rovanpera keeps home team hopes of rookie at bay at Rally Latvia

Rovanpera keeps home team hopes of rookie at bay at Rally Latvia

FILE: ROVANPERA Kalle (fin), HALTTUNEN Jonne (FIN), Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, Toyota GR Yaris Rally 1, action during the 2022 Ypres Rally Belgium, round 9 of the 2022 WRC World Rally Car Championship, from 18 to 21 August 2022 in Ypres, Belgium –

World champion Kalle Rovanpera built up an impressive lead over his home team prospect Martins Sesks on Friday in the Rally Latvia, who is competing in only his second event in the elite class.

Rovanpera, behind the wheel of a Toyota, opened a 15.7-second lead over the 24-year-old Latvian, who was fifth on his debut in Poland last time out.

Sesks took his very first stage win on Friday in the second stage, passing eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier. He also set the fastest time in the second stage.

Ogier, also driving a Toyota, finished the day 21.6 seconds behind the leader in third place.

Rovanpera and Ogier will only race in a number of selected events in 2024.

World Championship leader Thierry Neuville is more than a minute behind the competition in his Hyundai, as he had to open the race and play the role of ‘sweeper’.

1. Kalle Rovanpera/Jonne Halttunen (FIN/Toyota) 1:08:44.5

2. Martins Sesks/Renars Francis (LAT/Ford M-Sport) at 15.7 sec

3. Sébastien Ogier/Vincent Landais (FRA/Toyota) 21.6

4. Takamoto Katsuta/Aaron Johnston (JPN-IRL/Toyota) 33.2

5. Adrien Fourmaux/Alexandre Coria (FRA/M-Sport Ford) 38.5

6. Ott Tanak/Martin Jarveoja (EST/Hyundai) 38.8

7. Elfyn Evans/Scott Martin (GBR/Toyota) 52.7

8. Gregoire Munster/Louis Louka (LUX-BEL/M-Sport Ford) 1:10.2

9. Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe (BEL/Hyundai) 1:23.3

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