Kalle Rovanpera Dominates First Rally Latvia in World Championship

Toyota's Kalle Rovanpera, a 23-year-old Finn, became the first winner of Rally Latvia as part of the world championship. He led from the start in Riga, dominating the fast gravel roads to win the season's eighth round. Rovanpera beat French teammate Sebastien Ogier by 39.2 seconds.

Toyota's Kalle Rovanpera went back to his roots and made history as the first winner of Rally Latvia in the world championship on Sunday. The 23-year-old Finn, who began rallying competitively in Latvia at just 12 years old, led from the start in Riga, dominating the Baltic country's fast gravel roads to clinch the season's eighth round.

The double world champion outpaced French teammate Sebastien Ogier, an eight-time titleholder, by 39.2 seconds. Both drivers are participating this season on a part-time basis. Estonian Ott Tanak, the 2019 world champion, finished third for Hyundai, trailing by an additional 25.3 seconds after surpassing local hero Martins Sesks in the final stage.

Unfortunately, Sesks dropped to seventh place due to a transmission problem in his M-Sport Ford Puma.