 Loeb is looking to build on his Rally of Catalunya win last time out |
Three-time world champion Sebastien Loeb took overall command of the Tour of Corsica after winning all of the last three stages on day one. The Frenchman got off to a sluggish start, allowing world championship leader Marcus Gronholm of Finland to open a 4.1-second gap at midday.
The Finn won stages two and three after one was cancelled, but Loeb built a 4.8 second lead with a fine end to the day.
In third was Spain's Dani Sordo, Loeb's Citroen team-mate, 18.5 seconds behind.
 | 606: DEBATE |
Belgian Francois Duval, driving a Citroen, lies almost one minute behind and is already out of contention, while Norway's Petter Solberg is fifth, 5.3 seconds further back.
Loeb currently trails Gronholm by just six points in the race for the championship.
Standings in the Rally of Corsica after five stages:
1. Sebastien Loeb (Fra) Citroen 59 minute 29.7 seconds
2. Marcus Gronholm (Fin) Ford Focus at 4.8 sec
3. Dani Sordo (Spa) Citroen at 18.5
4. Francois Duval (Bel) Citroen 57.8
5. Petter Solberg (Nor) Subaru Impreza 1:20.6
6. Jari-Matti Latvala (Fin) 1:06.4
7. Chris Atkinson (Aus) Subaru Impreza 1:20.6
8. Xevi Pons (Spa) Subaru Impreza 1:58
9. Jan Kopecky (Cze) Skoda Fabia 2:47.4
10. Henning Solberg (Nor) Ford Focus 3:35.7
11. Andreas Mikkelsen (Nor) Ford Focus 3:40.4
12. Manfred Stohl (Aut) Citroen Xsara 3:43.6.
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