Ogier holds off Mikkelsen to extend Poland lead

Sebastien Ogier is on course to extend his World Rally Championship title lead after holding off team-mate Andreas Mikkelsen on the third day of the Rally of Poland on Saturday.

The Frenchman -- who has won four of the opening six races of the season - steered his Volkswagen Polo to a 5.6 second advantage over Mikkelsen after the day's seventh special stage.

Ogier, who arrived in Poland 66 points clear of Mads Ostberg in the overall standings, said: "I’ve been cleaning the roads since the start so to lead is fantastic, but we have to finish the fight tomorrow (Sunday).

"I wasn’t so sure about my tyre choice this afternoon because they were moving a lot. It wasn’t a perfect choice," said Ogier, who was first out on Saturday as road opener.

The 31-year-old -- a two-time WRC champion -- will have to fend off the attentions of Norway's Mikkelsen on Sunday with just under 30km and just two speed tests remaining.

Mikkelsen managed to reduce the deficit to Ogier thanks to his choice of hard compound rubber tyres in searing afternoon temperatures.

Finnish driver Jari-Matti Latvala was third with a 5.9-second advantage heading into Saturday but he was leapfrogged by Ott Tanak who won two morning stages in his Ford Fiesta to lead Latvala by 1.5 seconds.
Source: AFP