Ogier holds on to lead in Argentina

CORDOBA, Argentina (AFP) –

French driver Sebastien Ogier steers his Volkswagen Polo R WRC with compatriot co-driver Julien Ingrassia during the 3rd stage of the WRC Argentina 2013 near Agua de Oro, Cordoba, on May 2, 2013. Ogier held on to his overall lead in the Rally of Argentina after Thursday’s second day.

World championship leader Sebastien Ogier, in a Volkswagen Polo, held on to his overall lead in the Rally of Argentina after Thursday’s second day.

Ogier, who claimed his third win of the season in the Rally of Portugal last time out, picked up where he left off on Wednesday evening.

The French driver, who has also captured the Sweden and Mexico races, leads Citroen’s nine-time world champion Sebastien Loeb by 16 seconds.

Mikko Hirvonen, in the second factory Citroen, was back in third place, 18 seconds off the pace.

Earlier, Hirvonen’s stablemate Dani Sordo lost several minutes when he rolled his car, with it ending on its roof needing to be righted with the help of spectators.

But he ran into controversy as he re-started just in front of Ogier, who later accused him of slowing him down over several kilometres.

Loeb, racing a reduced programme this year, is bidding to maintain his extraordinary record in the event, having won every edition of this South American leg of the championship since 2005.