Burns praised for Makinen shoot-out

The reigning world champion had risen to third in his Peuegot 206 WRC after Colin McRae rolled for a second time three stages from the end. Burns then closed the gap on Makinen's Subaru to just over a second with the final 9.14km test to run.

Makinen made a mistake over the stage and spun, leaving Burns to take the runner-up place behind team-mate Marcus Gronholm and deliver Peugeot its fourth consecutive one-two.

"It was incredible what Richard did in that final stage," said Provera. "How many people can you think of who have beaten Tommi Makinen in a final stage shoot-out? I can't think of many. What he has done has been amazing."

Peugeot were tipped by many to struggle once the WRC hit the rougher-terrain rallies. But the team's performance in Cyprus suggests that the 206 WRCs will be contenders on any surface this year.

Asked whether he thought Burns could win his first rally for Peugeot at the next round in Argentina, Provera said: "Absolutely! Why not?"

Peugeot holds an impressive 41-point lead over Subaru and Ford in the manufacturers' standings. Gronholm has stretched his lead in the drivers' table to 11 over team-mate Gilles Panizzi. Burns is a point behind the Frenchman in third.

For the report from yesterday's exciting climax to the Cyprus Rally, click here.