Citroen's Kris Meeke wins WRC Portugal

Kris Meeke won Rally Portugal in his Citroen DS3. Picture: Jose Coelho / EPA.

Kris Meeke won Rally Portugal in his Citroen DS3. Picture: Jose Coelho / EPA.

Published May 23, 2016

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Britain's Kris Meeke returned from a two-rally absence to win the Rally of Portugal on Sunday.

The Briton, who missed the previous two WRC rounds in the Americas, led for all but the first of the 19 speed tests to win the four-day rough road event in northern Portugal by 29.7sec in Citroen's DS 3.

It was his second world success after triumphing in Argentina last year.

“An almost perfect weekend - huge thanks to my team. We made the most of the position we were in and I couldn't have done any more,” said Meeke.

“It shows the DS 3 is still a great car. For me too it's another step. I'm really, really excited about 2017!”

Norway's Andreas Mikkelsen outpaced team-mate and championship leader Sebastien Ogier on the final day to take second in a Volkswagen Polo R, relegating the Frenchman to the last step of the podium by 4.8sec.

“I had another puncture, so two and only one spare. Luckily it was a slow puncture and I was able to get enough air in for the stage,” bemoaned Ogier.

Three-time defending world champion Ogier still holds a 47-point lead over Mikkelsen in the drivers' standings, after finishing on the podium in all five of the rallies so far this season.

Yeahhhh! 🚗💨🇵🇹🏆🍾👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/roponaoRNJ

— Citroën Racing (@CitroenRacing) May 22, 2016

RALLY PORTUGAL RESULTS - TOP 10

1. Kris Meeke (Britain) Citroen - 3:59:01.000

2. Andreas Mikkelsen (Norway) Volkswagen +00:29.700

3. Sebastien Ogier (France) Volkswagen 00:34.500

4. Daniel Sordo (Spain) Hyundai 01:37.100

5. Eric Camilli (France) Ford 04:01.600

6. Jari-Matti Latvala (Finland) Volkswagen 04:06.900

7. Mads Ostberg (Norway) Ford 06:53.600

8. Martin Prokop (Czech Republic) Ford 10:24.100

9. Pontus Tidemand (Sweden) Skoda 11:45.200

10. Nicolas Fuchs (Peru) Skoda 13:14.000

DRIVER STANDINGS - TOP 10

1. Sebastien Ogier (France) Volkswagen - 114

2. Andreas Mikkelsen (Norway) Volkswagen - 67

3. Mads Ostberg (Norway) Ford - 58

4. Hayden Paddon (New Zealand) Hyundai - 57

5. Daniel Sordo (Spain) Hyundai - 56

6. Jari-Matti Latvala (Finland) Volkswagen - 37

7. Kris Meeke (Britain) Citroen - 26

8. Ott Taenak (Estonia) - 24

9. Thierry Neuville (Belgium) Hyundai - 23

10. Eric Camilli (France) Ford - 14

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