Mikkelsen wins after Ogier crashes in Rally of Spain

Mikkelsen was able to hold his position until the final stage but drama was to follow as rally leader Ogier, who had a big advantage at the front, crashed near the end of the Power Stage and ripped a wheel off the Polo WRC handing victory to Mikkelsen.

Mikkelsen beat Volkswagen team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala by 3.1 seconds when Ogier smashed into a roadside barrier.

“I haven’t realised it yet”, an emotional Mikkelsen told reporters as he hugged his tearful co-driver Ola Fløene.

Ogier’s mishap not only promoted Mikkelsen to his first win but also moved Dani Sordo up to third at his home event. He punctured and dropped to fourth, but he’d recovered to second at the end of the day.

Spain was a rally to forget for Malcolm Wilson’s M-Sport squad. The two traded times over the first three stages of the day and by the halfway point of the final leg it was Latvala ahead by just 0.9 seconds.

“I was not out by much, maybe I was 10cm too wide”.

With the Pole recently hinting that he’ll be doing “something different” in 2016, it seems Kubica himself is getting frustrated with his lack of progress in the sport.

Further down the order, there was an interesting fight between Citroën and Hyundai’s Mads Ostberg (4th), Kris Meeke (5th), Hayden Paddon (6th) and Thierry Neuville (8th).

“I’m sorry for Volkswagen; the team did a great job once again”.

The 26-year-old’s maiden victory comes in his 64th world rally having previously been on the podium 12 times.