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Ogier Triumphs in Greece as McErlean Secures Career-Best Fourth

BBC Sport •
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Sebastien Ogier claimed victory at Rally Greece, extending his part-time campaign with a commanding performance that saw him finish 58.3 seconds ahead of Thierry Neuville. The nine-time champion held a 1.7-second advantage entering the penultimate stage, but Neuville's puncture cost him nearly a minute and any chance at the win.

Josh McErlean delivered his best World Rally Championship result with fourth place for M-Sport Ford, leapfrogging his previous best of eighth this season. Despite a scary moment on the penultimate stage where he missed his braking point and lost 45 seconds, the Motorsport Ireland driver kept composure to fend off Sami Pajari and Adrien Fourmaux.

Championship leader Elfyn Evans endured a frustrating weekend, recovering from Friday's road-opening disadvantage only to suffer punctures that dropped him to seventh. Takamoto Katsuta's third-place finish and Power Stage points cut Evans' lead to just seven points, while Ogier's maximum points haul leaves him 33 points behind in third.

Jon Armstrong's rally ended in disappointment after retirement from third place due to a double puncture and turbo failure. The Northern Ireland driver had set his first WRC fastest stage time before mechanical issues struck, underscoring the unforgiving nature of the Greek gravel stages.