Rally Portugal stage cut due to fires

Ponte de Lima, which was due to be run as the second and fifth stages of the day, was cancelled this morning around halfway through, when organisers deemed the stage unsafe to continue.

Most of the World Rally Championship contingent had already set a time.

Organisers had hoped the closure of SS2 would allow enough time to prepare it for action this afternoon, with a spokesperson saying: "We want the stage to run this afternoon, but we have to be very careful about the fire - we have to take care, which is why the fire crews are going in."

A huge effort from emergency services overnight to battle the blazes - over 100 fire fighters were reportedly on the scene - meant the stage could go ahead this morning.

The Caminha stage will be the next to run, at 16:35 BST as scheduled.

Jari-Matti Latvala leads into the afternoon's shortened itinerary, the third different leader in as many stages.