Rovanpera wins rally Portugal for his first victory of the season

World Champion Kalle Rovanpera (Toyota) took his first win of the 2023 World Rally Championship (WRC) season after finishing first in Rally Portugal, Round 5 of the season. This is Кalle’s second successive victory in Portugal and his first victory since last year’s Rally New Zealand, the event in which he became world champion.

Rovanpera took the lead on Friday and ended the first day 10.8 seconds ahead of Dani Sordo (Hyundai). On Saturday morning, however, Rovanpera won all three stages until the midday service area and was able to extend his lead over Sordo to over 52 seconds.

Rally Portugal Victory and 5 power stage points!🥳

I have missed this feeling. It has been too long coming, but finally we are back! Big thanks to Jonne and to our team they have been pushing us well forward. Also Happy Mother’s day to every mom, especially to mine!

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Elfyn Evans wins Rally Croatia in the first race after Breen tragedy

#KR69 pic.twitter.com/cr677p02aL

— Kalle Rovanperä (@KalleRovanpera) May 14, 2023

Hyundai’s big favorite Thierry Neuville was fifth in the final as he suffered a turbo failure this morning and drove the last 4 stages at a very low speed, going down from 3rd to 5th place.