World Rally: Ogier glad "dangerous" section of Rally Poland is out

Sebastien Ogier has applauded the organizers' decision to shorten the longest Lithuanian stage of Rally Poland on safety grounds.

The Kapciamiestis-Lithuania test has been cut from 21.15 to 8.02 miles and will be run twice in its shortened form on Friday in the WRC's first ever visit to Lithuania. It was the first stretch of the stage which gave the organisers' cause for concern after heavy rain had damaged the gravel road.

"Jari-Matti [Latvala, Volkswagen teammate] and I discussed this section after the recce. We felt it was very dangerous in this section; it's very fast into the narrow forest road with the trees close to the side," explained Ogier. "And when it starts to rain you don't really have control of the car when the road is full of mud – it was really clever of the organizers to make this change.

"There are still some very fast sections in the forests in Lithuania, but the worst have been cut.

"On the second run in these stages, it will be tough - the ground is really soft there and it will cut-up."

Citroen driver Mads Ostberg said he had been looking forward to the canceled section of stage.

"I was looking forward to it," said the Norwegian. "Sure it is very fast and a bit crazy to be flat-out for 10 kilometers, but OK, I will look forward to sixth gear in a lot of other places."