WORLD CHAMPIONS SEBASTIEN OGIER claimed victory in the season-opening Monte Carlo Rally on Saturday, the 82nd edition of the classic race.
Ogier, in a VW Polo-R, finished ahead of French compatriot Bryan Bouffier, in a Ford Fiesta, with Citroen driver Kris Meeke in third.
Meeke, from Tyrone, and co-driver Paul Nagle consolidated their third place position with a solid outing, losing just under 16 seconds on the Volkswagen driver.
It was Ogier’s second career win in the principality but first at the elite world championship level. He had won the 2009 International Challenge in a Peugeot.
Overall standings:1. Sebastien Ogier (FRA/Volkswagen Polo-R) 3hr 55min 14.4sec, 2. Bryan Bouffier (FRA/Ford Fiesta RS) at 1:18.9, 3. Kris Meeke (GBR/Citroën DS3) 1:54.3, 4. Mads Ostberg (NOR/Citroën DS3) 3:53.9, 5. Jari-Matti Latvala (FIN/Volkswagen Polo-R) 6:08.3, 6. Elfyn Evans (GBR/Ford Fiesta RS) 8:37.4, 7. Andreas Mikkelsen (NOR/Volkswagen Polo-R) 11:42.3, 8. Jan Melicharek (SVK/Ford Fiesta RS) 21:56.2
