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Sebastien Loeb had WTCC options but World RX 'more interesting'

Sebastien Loeb has admitted he had the chance to remain in the World Touring Car Championship this year but saw World Rallycross as a more entertaining option

Loeb had always intended to drive for Citroen in WTCC this season until it became clear his services were not required as it cut its line-up to two cars ahead of its 2017 departure.

His move to sister brand Peugeot was primarily for the Dakar Rally, but the nine-time World Rally champion admits the opportunity to race in rallycross was too good to miss.

"It's a new challenge, a new story," Loeb told Autosport.

"I did not expect to leave the World Touring Car Championship and I had a chance to stay in the series and the chance to do some other circuit racing, but I think this will be more interesting.

"Rallycross is a nice challenge for me."

Loeb makes his full RX season debut in Portugal this weekend, having tested his Hansen-run factory 208 for three days in France last week.

"I hope some of my skills from WTCC will help me, but I cannot predict a result, it's too soon to know what I can do in rallycross," he said of his chances in the Montalegre opener.

"I'm excited about the season ahead, I think it will be a lot of fun and the sensation in the car is a little bit more like a rally car and I have some experience there...

"I have a lot to learn and a lot to learn quickly.

"I don't know much about the strategy, for example, when to use the joker lap.

"And I don't know so much about the car set-up, I don't have full confidence in that yet.

"Maybe the biggest thing is that I don't know what to expect in the traffic.

"I have tested for three days, but I have tested alone.

"Sure, I know about racing and having cars around me, like in WTCC, but the intensity is not the same as in rallycross.

"I don't have long to wait to find out what it's going to be like."

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