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Day 2: Martin launches attack

Citroen's Sebastien Loeb is still leading after a dry afternoon in Spain, but his advantage has at last been cut. Markko Martin has reduced the gap to just over 20 seconds after winning two of this afternoon's three stages.

Yesterday's neck problems have not been entirely forgotten by Martin, so the young Estonian is doing a fine job under difficult circumstances. Although Loeb won the last stage of the day after the gap had dipped to 19 seconds, Martin can feel confident ahead of Sunday. The Ford driver doesn't share Loeb's championship considerations, so can afford to attack fully tomorrow.

Martin wasn't so sure: "I think Sebastien is a quick enough driver to keep the advantage he has. I just have to make sure I am there is he slips."

The battle for second petered out after lunch, as Martin was quicker than Gilles Panizzi on every stage. Although Panizzi did not show such strength in the afternoon, he remains safe in third, 29 seconds clear of Carlos Sainz.

Sainz's afternoon was only marginally better than his morning, and would now be behind François Duval if the Ford hasn't picked up a ten-second penalty for leaving service a minute late after a pedal box change on his Focus. Duval is still only three seconds behind the ailing local hero.

A consolation for Sainz, who was second last night, is that his two nearest championship rivals are behind him. Richard Burns remains in a consistent sixth, but out of touch with Duval despite the Belgian's problems. And Petter Solberg is still tenth and out of the points.

Marcus Gronholm, who lost time through poor tyre choice yesterday, looks set to overhaul Colin McRae for seventh early tomorrow. But with the Scot currently 32 seconds behind Burns, Gronholm's charge may stop there if there are no further retirements.

Although rain didn't show up today - putting some weather analysts to shame - the forecasters are even more certain it will be around tomorrow. As Sanremo showed, any precipitation could fizz things up before the victory ramp.


Sebastien Loeb (Citroen) 2h46m28.6s
Markko Martin (Ford) +20.8s
Gilles Panizzi (Peugeot) +36.7s
Carlos Sainz (Citroen) +1m05.2s
François Duval (Ford) +1m08.5s
Richard Burns (Peugeot) +1m40.4s

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