The reigning champion baby prodigy triumphs in Portugal and returns to the top of the World Rally standings. He gave the group a first tug, stretching a bit over his main rivals in the race for the 2023 title, in the first round on dirt. He will return to racing from 1st to 4th June in Sardinia
After a decidedly less overwhelming start to the championship than last season, in Portugal the young man boldly returned Kalle Rovanpera at the wheel of his Toyota, author of a concrete performance and great safety, which on a difficult and insidious route put all his opponents to the whip during three difficult and tiring days of competition. And so, taking advantage of the absence of Sebastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans’ weekend, the reigning WRC champion baby prodigy returned to the top of the world championship standings and gave the group a first tug, stretching a bit over his main rivals in the race for the 2023 title. in the first appointment on dirt road.
The teamwork exercised behind him since was of no use Team Hyundai to keep a prostrate afloat Thierry Neuville who, although pushed with skilful strategy behind the Finn to the edge of the podium, then had to surrender on the last day of the race to an evident drop in engine power. In one fell swoop Rovanpera thus broke the Lusitanian spell that had lasted for seven long editions, which saw always different riders alternating with success, and recovered – repeating the success of a year ago – the role of man to beat in the category: “Yes, it took a long time, I thank everyone who helped me improve after the difficult moments I had at the end of last season”.
Next meeting in Sardinia, from 1st to 4th June with ben 74 registered crews. The longest race of the world championship is scheduled: the 50 km. of Monte Lerno, where Toyota will still lead the championship thanks to the return of Sébastien Ogier.
