Rallying-Neuville leads after brutal opening leg in Kenya

FIle PHOTO: Rallying - WRC Arctic Lapland Rally - Rovaniemi, Finland - February 26, 2021?Belgium's Thierry Neuville and his co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe steer their Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC car during the first stage of the FIA WRC Arctic Lapland Rally?Hannu Rainamo/Lehtikuva via REUTERS

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Hyundai's Thierry Neuville led the Kenyan Safari Rally after a brutal opening leg wrecked the chances of several top drivers on Friday.

The Belgian won three of the six stages and ended 18.8 seconds clear of Toyota's Takamoto Katsuta, despite a late puncture, after early challenger Kalle Rovanpera got stuck in a rut and retired his Toyota on the final stage of the day.