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Robert Kubica's Monte Carlo Rally ended with a crash on the first stage of Friday afternoon.

The Pole was on the brink of reclaiming third place from Kris Meeke when he went off the road and had to retire.

Prior to the incident, Kubica had been matching the pace set by Sebastien Ogier, who has now moved into the rally lead.

Ogier began the afternoon loop 35.8 seconds behind leader Bryan Bouffier, but a spin for the M-Sport Ford driver coupled with a very rapid time from the Volkswagen put the reigning World Rally champion 11.2s ahead.

With Kubica's retirement, Meeke hangs on to third place overall, with Mads Ostberg now up to fourth.

Follow the Monte Carlo Rally as it happens on AUTOSPORT Race Centre Live.