Ogier edges Latvala in Jordan

Frenchman Sebastien Ogier driving a Citroen won his second successive rally yesterday taking the Rally of Jordan.

The 27-year-old – who won the Rally of Portugal last month – squeaked home two tenths of a second ahead of Finland’s Ford Fiesta pilot Jari-Matti Latvala, who had been third in Portugal.

Ogier’s compatriot and seven-time world champion Sebastien Loeb finished third.

Ogier was ecstatic at his victory, though, it was also tinged with relief as he had seen a commanding 33sec lead in the morning whittled down by Latvala, who won three successive special stages.

“It is fantastic, unbelievable, I am speechless,” said Ogier, who was claiming his fourth Rally win.

“I had to attack really hard because Jari-Matti was really fast today (Saturday).

“However, I could not go any faster.”

Ogier, though, managed to stave off the charging Latvala in the Power Stage, new to the WRC this season, which he won and also claimed three bonus points towards the overall standings.