Battle for Second Behind Loeb
World Rally Championship pace-setter Sebastien Loeb maintained his dominance of this week's Rally of Turkey, ending the second leg of the Kemer-based event with a 1:16 advantage over Petter Solberg
While Loeb controlled proceedings from the front - his only problem coming when he took a softer tyre for the predicted rain, which never arrived, on middle loop of stages. Neither his Citroen Xsara WRC or the Frenchman, who has already won four from six rallies this season, looked like faltering through today's largely dry conditions.
The main interest was centred on the battle for second place. Ahead of the second leg, it had been a three-way affair, led by Mitsubishi's Gigi Galli, who had turned in a stunning performance to head off Peugeot's Marcus Gronholm and Subaru man Solberg through the opening leg.
Unfortunately for the Italian, turbo failure shortly after the start of the opening stage of the day cost him dearly. He dropped to tenth and left the other two squabbling over the runners-up spot.
Solberg spent the morning closing on Gronholm and eventually passed him on SS13. The Norwegian was considerably happier than he had been in yesterday's ever-changing weather.
"If the weather had been like this today, we could have pushed for the lead," he said. Instead, he had to content himself with another final-day battle with Gronholm. The Peugeot driver had found little to cheer about throughout the leg, commenting: "Okay, it's good to be in the fight for second, but everybody wants to fight for first."
Solberg goes into the final day with 5.8s in hand over Gronholm. Loeb, however, is 1:16.6 clear. With only two stages in tomorrow's final leg, it's hard to see him missing out on a fourth-straight win and further enhancing his Drivers' Championship lead.
Leg 2 Classification
Pos Driver Car Time 1. Sebastien Loeb Citroen 3h44:33.200 2. Petter Solberg Subaru + 1:16.600 3. Marcus Groenholm Peugeot + 1:24.400 4. Carlos Sainz Citroen + 3:36.800 5. Markko Maertin Peugeot + 5:11.300 6. Toni Gardemeister Ford + 7:33.300 7. Roman Kresta Ford + 7:53.500 8. Gianluigi Galli Mitsubishi + 9:00.400 9. Antony Warmbold Ford + 10:40.700 10. Harri Rovanpera Mitsubishi + 12:47.800
About this article
| Series | WRC |
| Drivers | Sébastien Loeb |
| Author | David Evans |
Why the casualty of rallying's evolution should still be cherished
The WRC's support categories are in a process of streamlining that will spell the end of a formalised 2WD world championship-level category. While its relevance to the top level has been questioned for some time, that doesn't mean it should be swept quietly under the carpet
Why WRC's hybrid path could leave it at a crossroads
With all three major manufacturers committing to the World Rally Championship’s hybrid era from 2022, the future of the series is assured for now, but it could lead to trickier twists and turns further down the road
How Tanak froze out the competition at the Arctic Rally
Ott Tanak made up for a disastrous Monte Carlo Rally by leading all the way on the snow-kissed stages of the Arctic Rally Finland and in the process hit back at an event Toyota had been expected to dominate
What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic
This week's Arctic Rally Finland will bring the World Rally Championship into new territory. And, almost without exception, the service park can't wait for the subzero challenge to commence
How Ogier achieved a fitting Monte Carlo farewell
Against pandemic-shaped odds, the World Rally Championship season opener went ahead in Monte Carlo last weekend as a familiar face again took top spot. But for an emotional Sebastien Ogier, his record-breaking eighth win meant more than most
What to look out for in the 2021 WRC
As the 2021 World Rally Championship prepares to launch amid tight COVID-19 restrictions in Monte Carlo, here are the eight things unrelated to the pandemic that you should keep an eye on this year
Evans on the talking points of WRC 2021
He came close to the title last year, and now Toyota's Elfyn Evans gives his verdict on what to expect from 2021 as the World Rally Championship prepares to reconvene for the Monte Carlo season opener
Why Britain's continued WRC absence is a wake-up call
OPINION: With Rally GB dropping off the World Rally Championship calendar for the second year in a row, one of Britain's best-attended sporting events faces an uncertain future. It's an unfortunate situation that points to troubling times ahead
