Rallying-Ogier pulls ahead in Portugal as rivals struggle in heavy rain

Frenchman Sebastien ​Ogier will take a ​commanding 21.9-second lead over ‌Thierry Neuville ​into the final day at Rally Portugal after a masterful display during ‌a gruelling leg on Saturday.

Frenchman Sebastien ​Ogier will take a ​commanding 21.9-second lead over ‌Thierry Neuville ​into the final day at Rally Portugal after a masterful display during ‌a gruelling leg on Saturday. The Toyota veteran reclaimed the lead after a dramatic shift in the weather, ending the day firmly ‌in control as the field struggled with torrential rain ‌and muddy terrain.

“This afternoon, with these conditions, I’m glad we finished it because it has been very demanding,” said Ogier. “There was no grip ⁠at ​all on the ⁠mud, it was just about going through, but we had a ⁠good day.”

The afternoon loop was a turning point for Sweden's Oliver ​Solberg, who had briefly surged ahead before midday. Solberg’s bid ⁠for the lead unravelled after an incident in which his front-right tyre ⁠came ​off the rim, dropping him from second to fourth overall.

That allowed Neuville to move into second place for ⁠Hyundai, though he remains under pressure from Toyota’s Sami Pajari, with ⁠the Finn ⁠3.9 seconds behind the Belgian in third place. The rally, headquartered near Porto, runs until Sunday.