 Loeb is in seemingly unstoppable |
Defending world champion Sebastian Loeb continued to dominate the Cyprus Rally on the second day, increasing his lead to more than three minutes. The Frenchman won five of the six special stages in his Citroen.
Austria's Manfred Stohl, driving a privately entered Citroen, remained in second while Henning Solberg of Norway, driving a Ford Focus, stayed in third.
The fifth stage was cancelled after the Citroen of Loeb's team-mate Francois Duval overturned and caught fire.
Duval and his co-driver, Stephane Prevot, both Belgians, escaped unhurt.
Loeb's main competitors - former world champion Marcus Gronholm in a Peugeot, and Petter Solberg in a Subaru - were forced to withdraw on the first day of the event with mechanical problems.
"It is really one of the most damaging and destructive rallies I have seen in a long time," said Loeb.
"Being in a situation where you have a big lead with no real competition isn't nice.
"I would have liked Marcus and Petter to be still in. I shall just have to keep driving at a sensible rhythm close to what I've been doing already."
Leading positions:
1. Sebastien Loeb (Fra) Citroen Xsara 3hr 35min 33.9sec
2. Manfred Stohl (Aut) Citroen Xsara at 3:32.7
3. Henning Solberg (Nor) Ford Focus 4:15.4
4. Markko Martin (Est) Peugeot 307 4:34.9
5. Toni Gardemeister (Fin) Ford Focus 7:11.8
6. Roman Kresta (Cze) Ford Focus 8:27.3
7. Harri Rovanpera (Fin) Mitsubishi Lancer 11:11.6
8. Janne Tuohino (Fin) Skoda Fabia 13:15.3
9. Daniel Carlsson (Swe) Peugeot 206 13:56.2
10. Antony Warmbold (Ger) Ford Focus 15:06.9
MMIX
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