Ogier wants to regain the winning streak in Portugal

The French Sebastien Ogier (Volkswagen Polo R), winner of the first two races (Monte Carlo and Sweden), but deprived of the victory in the next two (Mexico and Argentina), intends to recover the winning streak in the Rally de Portugal, fifth round of the World Cup and that takes place between Thursday and Sunday.
The world champion for the last three years and winner of 34 championship rounds, started the 2016 World Cup unstoppable in Monte Carlo and Sweden, but his streak was interrupted in Mexico with the triumph of his partner, the Finn Jari-Mati Latvala, and continued in Argentina with the first win of his career for New Zealander Hayden Paddon (Hyundai i20).
Ogier is looking for his fifth victory in the Rally de Portugal, in which Latvala won a year ago.
In Portugal, the Hyundai Motorsport team will have four cars for the first time. Paddon and Spaniard Dani Sordo will represent the South Korean home first team on this occasion, while Dutch test driver Kevin Abbring will join Belgian Thierry Neuville in the second.
Dani Sordo, sixth in the World Cup with two sixths (Monte Carlo and Sweden) and two quarters (Mexico and Argentina), will seek his first podium of 2016.
“Portugal is one of the most enjoyable races of the year for me. Being located so close to Spain, we received great support from many spectators who travel to watch the rally, as well as the thousands of Portuguese fans who create such a fantastic atmosphere, ”explains the Cantabrian driver.
“The new look rally in the north is a different style than the previous version in the south, but it has very nice sections. We have had good results with the New Generation i20 WRC this season, so my goal is to have another solid performance in the hope of fighting for the podium, “added Sordo in a statement released by his team.
The rally will be based in Matosinhos, near Porto, and begins next to Guimarães Castle, the birthplace of Portugal, on Thursday night with a super special at the Lousada rallycross circuit.
On Friday the caravan travels north to face two identical loops of sections near the Spanish border, near Viana do Castelo. An intermediate service in Matosinhos will separate the loops, with the two passes through the urban section of Porto to complete 132.04 timed kilometers, the organizers of the championship report.
Saturday will be the longest day of the weekend with the dispute of two loops of three stages near Amarante that will add 165.28 kilometers against the clock. The 37.67-kilometer Amarante stage will be the longest of the rally.
The last day, Sunday, consists of two passes through two sections to total 67.32 kilometers.
That day the legendary Fafe special will focus all the attention for his spectacular jump before the finish line. The second pass through Fafe will be the final ‘Power Stage’, which awards points to the best three.
A total of 19 stages will be disputed that will add 368 kilometers against the clock of the 1,687.66 of the itinerary. EFE