WRC Rally Mexico: Sebastien Ogier leads Thursday night stages

The third round of the World Rally Championship got under way in spectacular fashion with the Frenchman standing on top of his Volkswagen Polo R WRC waving a Mexican flag to thousands of fans at the stunning Guanajuato ceremonial start.

The crews went straight into the first stage around - and under - Guanajuato city, with the all-asphalt test running through a 300-metre tunnel.

Hyundai's Thierry Neuville was quickest on the half-mile dash that opened proceedings, but the Belgian was forced to give best to Ogier when the action moved back towards Leon for SS2.

The second stage was a three-mile mixed-surface superspecial, running the cars side-by-side.

Ogier edged Neuville in their race to take the overnight advantage, one he expects to lose when running first on the dusty roads on Friday as the proper stages begin.

"I always love the start to this rally," said Ogier, "and the atmosphere in Guanajuato was incredible again. It's nice to lead tonight, but now tomorrow... you can count on me to give my best."

Neuville admitted the Polo's pace was too much for him on stage two.

"It's a good start for me," he said, "I tried hard in stage two, but he [Ogier] had a good run and I couldn't match his time.

"Now I'm really looking forward tomorrow when it will be all about finding some traction."

Ogier finished the evening leading by 1.2 seconds from Neuville and Andreas Mikkelsen.

Mikkelsen won an all-Volkswagen battle with Jari-Matti Latvala on the second stage to move into joint second place, while the Finn slots into fourth.

Mads Ostberg is the leading Citroen DS 3 driver, six tenths up on his team-mate Kris Meeke, with Ford Fiesta men Ott Tanak and Robert Kubica seventh and eighth.

Tanak reported a clean run with Kubica's only issue being a broken left-rear wheel following a glancing blow with a kerb on the opening test.

The crews face two loops of four stages around Guanajuato on Friday, with all eyes on the day's longest test - the 27-mile El Chocolate stage.

LEADING POSITIONS AFTER SS2: