SS3: WRC’s new star makes historic feat and beats Kalle Rovanperä!

M-Sport Ford's Martins Sesks made a historic feat on the third special stage of Rally Latvia.
Martins Sesks
Martins Sesks. Photo: M-Sport Ford WRT
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Sesks achieved a remarkable performance on the over 27-kilometre-long Tukums special stage, recording his career’s first fastest time in the main class.

Sesks managed to beat the two-time world champion, Toyota’s Kalle Rovanperä, by 1.6 seconds. Rovanperä continues to lead the overall standings, but Sesks has now risen to second place in the rally. The gap between the two in the overall standings is now 3.3 seconds.

“Last year we won it by 16 seconds (in the ERC), now we have our first stage win. It’s amazing. I lost a bit on the exit of the tarmac. We just have to really focus now,” the Latvian exclaimed at the stage finish.

Hyundai’s Ott Tänak, starting from a difficult road position, secured the third fastest time, trailing Sesks by 3.5 seconds. However, Tänak complained about his car, expressing dissatisfaction with its performance.

In the overall standings, Tänak is in fourth place, and Sebastien Ogier is in third. Tänak is 11 seconds behind the leader, and Ogier is 6.7 seconds behind.

Hyundai’s Esapekka Lappi continues to face significant difficulties. He fell 12.7 seconds behind the fastest time and is currently eighth in the overall standings, 24.4 seconds off the lead.

“Feels horrible all the time, I don’t know why. It’s our confidence, I cannot trust the grip and it makes things very difficult. I cannot trust the grip level, if I put it sideways I cannot trust which way it will go. It is difficult,” Lappi lamented.

The WRC leader, Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville, has also struggled due to his starting position. The Belgian is ninth in the overall standings, trailing Lappi, and has already fallen nearly half a minute behind the leader.

There are still five special stages to be run on Friday in Rally Latvia. The competition concludes on Sunday.

Rally Latvia standings after SS3/20:

POSDriverTeamTime
1. Kalle RovanperäToyota23:41.9
2.Martins SesksFord +3.3
3. Sebastien OgierToyota+6.7
4. Ott TänakHyundai+11.0
5. Takamoto KatsutaToyota+14.6
6. Elfyn EvansToyota+17.0
7. Adrien FourmauxFord+21.8
8.Esapekka LappiHyundai+24.4
9. Thierry NeuvilleHyundai+29.4
10. Gregoire MunsterFord+29.7
11. Oliver SolbergSkoda+59.5
12.Mikko HeikkiläSkoda+1:17.9
13. Joshua McErleanSkoda+1:18.3

Rally Latvia Itinerary (CET)

Thursday 18.7.

06:31 Shakedown: Cimdenieki (3.58 km)
19:05 SS1: Bikernieki Track (11.13 km)

Friday 19.7.

09:00 SS2: Milzkalne 1 (4.99 km)
09:45 SS3: Tukums 1 (27.56 km)
11:00 SS4: Andumi (17.86 km)
12:50 Tyre fitting zone
13:30 SS5: Milzkalne 2 (4.99 km)
14:15 SS6: Tukums 2 (27.56 km)
15:30 SS7: Strazde (17.44 km)
16:20 SS8: Talsi (20.52 km)

Saturday 20.7.

07:20 SS9: Pilskalns (18.87 km)
08:35 SS10: Snepele (17.52 km)
10:30 SS11: Ivande (23.04 km)
12:05 SS12: Vecpils 1 (12.64 km)
13:30 Service (40 min)
15:15 SS13: Podnieki (10.09 km)
16:05 SS14: Vecpils 2 (12.64 km)
18:00 SS15: Dinsdurbe (6.64 km)
19:15 SS16: Liepaja City Stage (2.56 km)

Sunday 21.7.

07:55 SS17: Krogzemji 1 (18.70 km)
09:05 SS18: Mazilmaja 1 (13.34 km)
10:55 SS19: Krogzemji 2 (18.70 km)
13:15 SS20: Mazilmaja 2 (13.34 km) *Power Stage

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