Kruse: "Rovanperä has a really good position in the WC"

Kalle Rovanperä has snatched a lead of 19 points ahead of Thierry Neuville ahead of Thursday night's World Cup start in Portugal.

Now the young Finn goes out first in the rally.

- It will be interesting to see how he tackles to go first.

If the rain does not come, there is no advantage.

But I expect him to ride quite smart.

Then it plays a bit in his hands that both Sebastien Loeb and Sebastien Ogier are with this weekend and can take points from the others, says Jonas Kruse.

- He does not have to win, and can be third, fourth or fifth and still have a solid lead in the World Cup.

I expect Loeb and Ogier to take points from the other top competitors, he continues.

Kruse thinks that Rovenperä is a positive surprise so far, while Elfyn Evans is the negative one.

- I probably thought Evans would be up there before the season.

But he has not got it at all.

It does not seem that self-confidence is not there.

And he really needs to turn this around soon.

He has the capacity, but it seems that it is something that haunts, says Jonas Kruse.

Swedish Oliver Solberg is driving in the WRC2 class this weekend and Kruse expects him to be at the top there.

- He should be at the top.

The team manager has put him in WRC2 so as not to put pressure on Oiver.

But there is pressure on Oliver now.

He needs to show that he deserves his place in the WRC.

And he needs to succeed for his self-confidence, says Jonas Kruse. 

- I would say that it is an important competition for him.

He needs to get to the finish line and make a good result to reverse this negative trend a bit.

World stars Sebastien Loeb and Sebastien Ogier return to the World Cup again, after standing over a few competitions.

An extra spice for the championship according to Kruse.

- It is good for the sport that these two icons come in at regular intervals.

They have a great rivalry and 17 World Cup titles together.

I would say that Ogier is the favorite to win this weekend.

Which day will be decisive for the rally?

- Friday will be quite decisive.

Anyone who comes home from there without any problems has laid a good foundation for winning.

These are tough distances and no service, and will be hard on the cars, says Jonas Kruse.

SVT broadcasts tonight's introductory SS1 live on SVT Play and SVT24 from 19.45.