Hirvonen seizes early initiative

FORD'S Mikko Hirvonen leads the Acropolis Rally after team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala's bid for back-to-back World Championship victories was dented on the opening day's final stage.

Finn Latvala had looked impressive from the off as he took advantage of his good position in the running order to win the opening stage of the event and then maintain his advantage with a series of impressive times throughout the rest of the day.

But disaster struck when Latvala ran wide at a hairpin during the second run through the Thiva stage and became stuck, losing three minutes and dropping him to 11th place.

Citroen's Dani Sordo looked set to inherit the overnight lead after Latvala's error, but the Spaniard was instructed to slow his pace, allowing Hirvonen to take the lead and claim the unwanted role of being first on the road on today's rough and dusty stages.

Reigning world champion Sebastien Loeb ended the day in third, just 21.1 seconds behind Hirvonen, having enjoyed a solid day despite being hindered by running first on the road due to his position at the head of the drivers' championship.