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Meeke leads for Citroen but Ostberg closes in Argentina

Kris Meeke continues to lead Rally Argentina at lunchtime on Day 2, but Citroen teammate Mads Ostberg has carved into his advantage.

Kris Meekeand Paul Nagle, Citroën Ds3 Wrc, Citroën World Rally Team

Kris Meekeand Paul Nagle, Citroën Ds3 Wrc, Citroën World Rally Team

XPB Images

Kris Meekeand Paul Nagle, Citroën Ds3 Wrc, Citroën World Rally Team
 Mads Ostberg And  Jonas Andersson, Citroën Ds3 Wrc, Citroën World Rally Team
Jari-Matti  Latvala And Miikka Anttila, Volkswagen Polo R Wrc, Volkswagen Motorsport
Ott Tanak And Raigo Molder, Ford Fiesta Rs Wrc, M-Sport World Rally Team
Kris Meeke Citroën World Rally Team
Mads Ostberg and Jonas Andersson, Citroën DS3 WRC, Citroën World Rally Team
Sébastien Ogier And Julien Ingrassia, Volkswagen Polo R Wrc, Volkswagen Motorsport
Martin Prokopand  Jan Tomanek, Ford Fiesta Rs Wrc, Jipocar Czech National Team

Meeke’s lead is down to 32.6s over Ostberg after Saturday’s opening two stages. Meeke's day started in the worst possible fashion when he spun early in the opening stage.

“It was very, very dusty and I got mixed up on my braking,” he said. “I spun off onto some grass and had to reverse to get back on. The stage was still good.”

This trimmed his lead over Ostberg to 53.5s, with Latvala 1m06.3s back in third.

Meeke dropped more time in the second stage, admitting to “just taking it easy, I was very cautious.”

Ostberg took 20s out of Meeke on that stage, which drivers claim was the toughest of the rally, despite feeling unwell.

“I tried to give a little bit more in that one,” said Ostberg. “I didn't enjoy the second half much, though.”

Third-placed Volkswagen driver Jari-Matti Latvala was very slow on the second stage, after a huge grassy off scared him and he cruised after that.

“I was very lucky not to hit anything,” he admitted.

Dani Sordo, whose power steering issues on his Hyundai are now sorted, took a huge chunk of time out of Latvala, despite losing 10s by overshooting a hairpin, and is now within 14.1s of third place.

Elfyn Evans remains in fifth place for M-Sport in his Ford Fiesta.

VW’s Sebastien Ogier rejoined the event after he was forced out on the first stage yesterday with an engine problem. He immediately set the fastest time on the opener, but complained of the dust from a WRC2 car running ahead of him.

“There is a lot of dust and it's very difficult to see,” he said.

Andreas Mikkelsen was also back on the road after his Day 1 exit, and set the fastest time on the second stage.

“I'm not really pushing, I just tried to find a good rhythm,” he said. “I am happy enough with that stage. It's all good experience. I'm looking forward to getting the car back to service in one piece!"

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