Ogier wins Rally Italy opening stage
A familiar face leads the Rally Italy after Thursday's opening stage, which was won by Sebastien Ogier.
World Rally Championship leader Sebastien Ogier won the opening stage of the Rally Italy on Thursday, triumphing in a speed test.
The defending champion, who is seeking his fourth world title in succession, beat Hyundai's Hayden Paddon by 1.3 seconds in his head-to-head run at a former motocross circuit.
His time was enough to seal victory in the 1.2-mile Ittiri Arena stage, the Frenchman - who has said he will abandon the rally early if his pregnant wife goes into labour - was three-tenths of a second ahead of Ott Tanak and Volkswagen team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala.
Ogier will hope to build his advantage on Friday, when a further eight stages will take place.