Peugeot duo downbeat over chances

Auriol, currently lying in third after two stages of leg two, is 19 seconds behind leader Puras and although he has a good car underneath him, the Frenchman doesn't think he'll be able to catch the two cars ahead of him.

"I was trying like hell in there," said Auriol after reaching the first service area on Saturday. "I've got a good feeling with the car, but it doesn't look like we'll be able to catch Citroen."

Auriol was the last driver to break the Citroen stranglehold at the top of the stage times, when he was quickest through the short SS4 early on Friday afternoon, but since then the red Citroens have dominated the rally.

"There are two red cars, and then two grey cars, and then there is the rest of the rally," said Auriol's team mate, asphalt specialist Gilles Panizzi, who is just behind his compatriot in fourth.

Citroen and Peugeot are owned by the same company, French conglomerate PSA, and before the start of the rally some observers had suggested that the red Citroens might have to move over to let their more established rivals through, but Panizzi doesn't see it like that.

"I'm pushing to the max," he said, "but I can't overtake the three cars in front of me."

After service the teams face the longest stage of the event, the 35.89km La Riba section, before returning to service. The first three stages of this morning are then repeated to complete the second leg of the Rally.