Loeb content with second place

The result was especially pleasing given that Loeb had come close to retiring from the event on Saturday afternoon.

The Kronos Citroen mechanics finished repairing Loeb's Xsara with just two minutes to spare after drastic tyre problems meant he had to coax the car back to service with one rear wheel hanging off, and the other down to the hub.

"With what happened yesterday, second is really a good result for us," said Loeb. "It's important for the championship. Marcus has taken two points (more than us) but that's not so bad.

"I'm happy to finish this rally. It was really difficult, really bad, really rough."

Both Gronholm and Petter Solberg showed improved form in Greece, suggesting that Loeb may face greater competition in forthcoming events.

The reigning champion could only manage third place on leg one, although he took second from Solberg early on Saturday and did reduce Gronholm's advantage slightly before the costly punctures struck.

"It was a really good battle," said Loeb. "I lost a lot of time on the first day cleaning the road and I was not so happy with my set-up.

"On the second day I had my usual car (set-up) but it was a bit too late. We tried to push Marcus, but we had the puncture.

"Even if I didn't have the puncture I think it would have been difficult to come back at Marcus."

Despite his Acropolis form, Gronholm believes that his title hopes are already over for 2006.

"Sebastien is too far ahead in the championship," said Gronholm. "We now have to just do the maximum that we can."