Nagle calls time on career after Rally Catalunya-Spain

Craig Breen and Paul Nagle claimed a top-ten finish at the Rally Catalunya-Spain as Nagle called time on a successful career.

The World Rally Championship co-driver made his WRC debut at the 2004 Rally Catalunya with fellow Kerryman Donie O'Sullivan in a Ford Focus.

He went on to drive with Tyrone native Kris Meeke for a decade and the pair won five WRC rounds with Citroen between 2015 and 2018, including the Catalunya rally that Nagle fittingly choose as his final farewell.

"I have to thank two special men," Nagle told the Irish Independent. "First, the man beside me, who's like a brother to me, and Kris Meeke back in our Citroen days. Without these I wouldn’t be where I am today.

"Thanks to everyone at home, my wife and kids and to all the Irish here this weekend."

The Irish duo finished in ninth place overall, with Frenchman Sebastien Ogier taking victory. The win for Ogier saw his Toyota team complete a WRC double for the second year in a row.

Toyota's Kalle Rovanpera had already secured the drivers' crown when the Finn became the youngest rally world champion at the age of 22 in New Zealand on 2 October.

Ogier's victory in Rally Catalunya-Spain was his first of the season, and first of the hybrid era, but a career 55th for the eight-times world champion who is now competing part-time in the series.

It was also a first for co-driver Benjamin Veillas.

Ogier led the asphalt rally from Friday, when he won three stages. He then took three more on Saturday and Sunday's final two to win by 16.4 seconds from Hyundai's Thierry Neuville. Rovanpera finished third.

The final rally of the season is in Japan next month.