World champion Kalle Rovanpera showcased his driving prowess at Rally Latvia on Friday, establishing a commanding lead after the opening stages. Behind the wheel of a Toyota Yaris, Rovanpera outpaced his competitors, finishing the day 15.7 seconds ahead of Latvia’s rising star, Martins Sesks, who is making waves in only his second elite class event.
Rovanpera’s performance was nothing short of stellar, as he set the fastest time on several stages, demonstrating why he is the reigning world champion. Despite a competitive field, his skillful navigation of the challenging terrain allowed him to build a substantial lead.
Sesks’ Sensational Debut
The Latvian rookie, Sesks, has already made a significant impact in his short career. On Friday, he claimed his first-ever stage win on the event’s second stage, overtaking eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier in the process. Sesks continued to impress by securing another stage victory on the subsequent run. This performance marks a promising start for Sesks in the elite class, having finished fifth on his debut in Poland last time out.
Ogier and Rovanpera’s Selective 2024 Campaign
Sebastien Ogier, competing in a Toyota like Rovanpera, finished the day in third place, 21.6 seconds behind the leader. Ogier and Rovanpera are both selectively participating in events this season, making their performances even more significant in the context of the championship.
Neuville Struggles with Sweeper Role
World championship leader Thierry Neuville faced challenges in his Hyundai, ending the day more than a minute behind the lead. His position at the front of the race as the ‘sweeper’ was a considerable disadvantage, as he had to clear the route of loose gravel and debris for his competitors.
Standings After Day 1
- Kalle Rovanpera/Jonne Halttunen (FIN/Toyota) – 1:08:44.5
- Martins Sesks/Renars Francis (LAT/Ford M-Sport) – +15.7 sec
- Sebastien Ogier/Vincent Landais (FRA/Toyota) – +21.6 sec
- Takamoto Katsuta/Aaron Johnston (JPN-IRL/Toyota) – +33.2 sec
- Adrien Fourmaux/Alexandre Coria (FRA/M-Sport Ford) – +38.5 sec
- Ott Tanak/Martin Jarveoja (EST/Hyundai) – +38.8 sec
- Elfyn Evans/Scott Martin (GBR/Toyota) – +52.7 sec
- Gregoire Munster/Louis Louka (LUX-BEL/M-Sport Ford) – +1:10.2
- Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe (BEL/Hyundai) – +1:23.3
As Rally Latvia continues, all eyes will be on Rovanpera to see if he can maintain his lead and secure another victory. Meanwhile, Sesks’ performance will be closely watched as he seeks to continue his impressive run in front of his home crowd.
