{"id":3937,"date":"2026-06-28T20:04:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-28T20:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.worldrally.eu\/?p=3937"},"modified":"2026-07-09T19:08:23","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T19:08:23","slug":"ogier-win-eko-acropolis-rally","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.worldrally.eu\/index.php\/2026\/06\/28\/ogier-win-eko-acropolis-rally\/","title":{"rendered":"Ogier win EKO Acropolis Rally"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The EKO Acropolis Rally Greece 2026 once again proved why it is regarded as one of the toughest and most unpredictable events in the FIA World Rally Championship. Four days of brutal gravel stages, extreme heat and relentless challenges culminated in a dramatic finish, where experience, patience and precision ultimately decided the winner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After Friday’s opening battle, Thierry Neuville appeared to have the upper hand, leading the rally and controlling the pace ahead of S\u00e9bastien Ogier. But in Greece, nothing is guaranteed until the final time control. Over the remaining two days, the balance of power shifted, and Ogier’s experience on the legendary Greek gravel stages once again proved decisive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

S\u00e9bastien Ogier and Vincent Landais delivered a masterclass performance to win the 2026 EKO Acropolis Rally Greece, while Thierry Neuville finished second. Takamoto Katsuta completed the podium after a mature and consistent drive that rewarded his patience throughout one of the championship’s most demanding events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday \u2013 patience becomes the key to victory<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Saturday represented one of the toughest challenges of the entire rally. The Greek mountain roads offered no margin for error, with deep ruts, loose gravel, sharp rocks and intense temperatures testing both drivers and machinery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After leading Friday’s competition, Thierry Neuville entered the day knowing that every kilometre would be crucial. However, S\u00e9bastien Ogier remained close behind, waiting for the opportunity to attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Frenchman once again demonstrated the qualities that have made him one of rallying’s greatest competitors. Instead of forcing the pace and taking unnecessary risks, Ogier focused on consistency, tyre management and avoiding the mistakes that often decide the Acropolis Rally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Saturday progressed, the Toyota driver gradually reduced the gap and began to take control of the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ogier’s experience makes the difference<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Acropolis Rally has always rewarded intelligent driving as much as outright speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Greece’s rough and unpredictable stages, the ability to understand when to attack and when to protect the car is often the difference between victory and retirement. Ogier mastered that balance perfectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The nine-time World Champion avoided unnecessary risks while maintaining a relentless pace. While several competitors struggled with the unforgiving conditions, Ogier continued to collect valuable seconds and moved closer to the rally lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His performance was a reminder that in rallying, experience remains one of the most valuable weapons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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PhotoMS media Agency \/ 70. EKO Acropolis Rally Greece 2026<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Neuville fights until the finish<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Thierry Neuville refused to surrender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hyundai driver continued pushing and maintained competitive pace throughout the final stages. The Hyundai i20 N Rally1 remained a strong package, but the Belgian was unable to match Ogier’s consistency on the most demanding sections of the rally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neuville eventually crossed the finish line in second place, 58.3 seconds behind the winner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although victory slipped away, his performance confirmed Hyundai’s strength and demonstrated that the team remained a serious contender throughout the weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Katsuta becomes one of the heroes of Greece<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest stories of the second half of the rally was Takamoto Katsuta’s impressive performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Japanese driver approached the event with patience and discipline, avoiding the problems that affected several of his rivals. Rather than chasing unnecessary risks, Katsuta concentrated on completing every stage cleanly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That strategy paid off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As other drivers lost time, Katsuta moved steadily up the classification and secured an excellent third-place finish. It was another important podium result and further proof of his ability to perform strongly on the championship’s most difficult rallies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pajari and Evans secure strong results<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sami Pajari also delivered an impressive recovery drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After facing difficulties earlier in the weekend, the young Finn regained his rhythm and finished fourth overall. His performance continued to highlight his rapid development in the Rally1 category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elfyn Evans completed the top five after another consistent weekend. The Welshman once again demonstrated the importance of reliability and discipline in a rally where simply reaching the finish line is an achievement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Penalties change the final order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The final classification was also affected by post-rally decisions from the stewards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adrien Fourmaux and Josh McErlean received time penalties for safety-related infringements involving incorrectly fastened seat belts during competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, both drivers lost positions in the final standings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fourmaux, despite showing strong pace throughout the weekend and winning the Power Stage, finished seventh overall. McErlean dropped to sixth place after his penalty was applied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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PhotoMS media Agency \/ 70. EKO Acropolis Rally Greece 2026<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fourmaux ends the rally with Power Stage victory<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite the disappointment of losing positions in the final classification, Adrien Fourmaux still had something to celebrate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Frenchman produced the fastest time on the Power Stage, earning valuable bonus points and proving that Hyundai had strong pace throughout the Acropolis Rally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His performance was another indication of his growing confidence and competitiveness at the highest level of rallying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final Classification \u2013 EKO Acropolis Rally Greece 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Position<\/th>Crew<\/th>Car<\/th>Gap<\/th><\/tr>
1<\/strong><\/td>S\u00e9bastien Ogier \/ Vincent Landais<\/td>Toyota GR Yaris Rally1<\/td>3:36:40.7<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
2<\/strong><\/td>Thierry Neuville \/ Martijn Wydaeghe<\/td>Hyundai i20 N Rally1<\/td>+58.3 s<\/td><\/tr>
3<\/strong><\/td>Takamoto Katsuta \/ Aaron Johnston<\/td>Toyota GR Yaris Rally1<\/td>+3:04.8<\/td><\/tr>
4<\/strong><\/td>Sami Pajari \/ Marko Salminen<\/td>Toyota GR Yaris Rally1<\/td>+5:02.2<\/td><\/tr>
5<\/strong><\/td>Elfyn Evans \/ Scott Martin<\/td>Toyota GR Yaris Rally1<\/td>+5:54.9<\/td><\/tr>
6<\/strong><\/td>Josh McErlean \/ Eoin Treacy<\/td>Ford Puma Rally1<\/td>+5:55.5<\/td><\/tr>
7<\/strong><\/td>Adrien Fourmaux \/ Alexandre Coria<\/td>Hyundai i20 N Rally1<\/td>+6:08.7<\/td><\/tr>
8<\/strong><\/td>M\u0101rti\u0146\u0161 Sesks \/ Ren\u0101rs Francis<\/td>Ford Puma Rally1<\/td>+8:05.8<\/td><\/tr>
9<\/strong><\/td>Robert Virves \/ Jakko Viilo<\/td>\u0160koda Fabia RS Rally2<\/td>+9:50.1<\/td><\/tr>
10<\/strong><\/td>Andreas Mikkelsen \/ J\u00f8rn Listerud<\/td>\u0160koda Fabia RS Rally2<\/td>+10:52.5<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ogier proves once again why champions endure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The 2026 EKO Acropolis Rally Greece was another reminder that world-class rallying is not only about speed. It is about judgement, patience and the ability to perform when conditions become unpredictable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thierry Neuville started the weekend strongly and controlled much of the early action, but S\u00e9bastien Ogier remained calm, trusted his experience and delivered when the decisive moments arrived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Toyota’s victory was built on perfect strategy, excellent tyre management and the ability to minimise risk on one of the most demanding rallies in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Greece once again showed its unforgiving nature \u2013 but that is exactly what makes the EKO Acropolis Rally one of the most legendary events on the WRC calendar.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The EKO Acropolis Rally Greece 2026 once again proved why it is regarded as one of the toughest and most unpredictable events in the FIA World Rally Championship. Four days of brutal gravel stages, extreme heat and relentless challenges culminated in a dramatic finish, where experience, patience and precision ultimately decided the winner. After Friday’s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3938,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3937","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wrc"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t