Acropolis Rally: Novikov grabs shock lead as frontrunners hit trouble
Evgeny Novikov emerged as a shock Acropolis Rally leader as Sebastien Ogier, Mikko Hirvonen and Mads Ostberg all hit trouble on the opening stage
The 47-kilometre Kineta-Pissia stage claimed high-profile victims from the outset, including World Rally Championship points leader Ogier.
The Frenchman stopped with what Volkswagen would only describe as a 'mechanical problem'.
Hirvonen's Citroen made it to the finish despite a steering issue that cost him nearly six minutes, while Mads Ostberg reported that his M-Sport Ford's "wheel fell off" as he dropped three minutes.
Those that did make it through unscathed found themselves a long way off M-Sport driver Novikov's pace.
Second-placed Dani Sordo's Citroen is 20.6 seconds down on the Russian, but 15.7s ahead of Jari-Matti Latvala, who is now VW's main hope.
The Finn's team-mate Andreas Mikkelsen is fifth, behind Thierry Neuville.
Robert Kubica leads WRC2 despite some scares in dust on the stage, and holds ninth overall.
Leg one of the shortened rally comprises just two stages, with the field now heading to service before tackling SS2 in darkness.
Leading positions after SS1: Pos Driver Team/Car Time/Gap 1. Evgeny Novikov M-Sport Ford 32m58.6s 2. Dani Sordo Citroen + 20.6s 3. Jari-Matti Latvala VW + 36.3s 4. Thierry Neuville M-Sport Ford + 38.3s 5. Andreas Mikkelsen VW + 54.4s 6. Nasser Al-Attiyah M-Sport Ford + 57.5s 7. Martin Prokop Czech Ford + 1m34.3s 8. Khalid Al-Qassimi Citroen + 2m13.3s 9. Robert Kubica PH Citroen + 2m51.6s* 10. Yuriy Protasov Mm Ford + 3m12.1s* * WRC2
Acropolis Rally: Mikko Hirvonen not alarmed by poor qualifying pace
Acropolis Rally: Evgeny Novikov pulls away on Friday night
Miller "as surprised as you" at Portugal MotoGP lap record in practice
Miller "as surprised as you" at Portugal MotoGP lap record in practice Miller "as surprised as you" at Portugal MotoGP lap record in practice
Frijns: "No pain" ahead of Formula E Sao Paulo return after wrist break
Frijns: "No pain" ahead of Formula E Sao Paulo return after wrist break Frijns: "No pain" ahead of Formula E Sao Paulo return after wrist break
MotoGP doctor gives Pol Espargaro update after violent Portugal FP2 crash
MotoGP doctor gives Pol Espargaro update after violent Portugal FP2 crash MotoGP doctor gives Pol Espargaro update after violent Portugal FP2 crash
Sao Paulo E-Prix "could go down to the last lap" due to slipstreaming nature
Sao Paulo E-Prix "could go down to the last lap" due to slipstreaming nature Sao Paulo E-Prix "could go down to the last lap" due to slipstreaming nature
The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos
The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos
How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland
How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland
Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival
Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival
How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master
How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master
How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling
How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling
Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion
Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion
The contenders seeking to take Rovanpera's WRC crown
The contenders seeking to take Rovanpera's WRC crown The contenders seeking to take Rovanpera's WRC crown
Why Rovanpera is anticipating a fight to defend his WRC title
Why Rovanpera is anticipating a fight to defend his WRC title Why Rovanpera is anticipating a fight to defend his WRC title
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.