Day 2am: Citroens go on the offensive

Marcus Gronholm continues to lead the Monte Carlo Rally, but the chasing Citroen pack is ganging up on him. After the opening stage of the day was cancelled due to spectators parking their cars on the stage, Sebastien Loeb set the fastest time on SS8

Jan 25, 2003, 10:08 AM

Loeb was quickest through the 25.15 kilometres of Saint Antonin, last used on this event in 2001, in a time of 18m08.0s, closely followed by new team-mate Colin McRae. Loeb pegged back eight seconds on Gronholm's lead, which is now just 12.8s. McRae is 1m14.4s adrift in third but also pegged back a few seconds on the leader on this section.

Further back Carlos Sainz overturning his deficit to Richard Burns (Peugeot) to grab fourth place and make it a Citroen two-three-four. Sainz is now 4.2secs ahead of the Englishman. Burns now has to worry about Ford's Markko Martin, who has carved into his advantage by setting the fourth fastest time through SS8.

Two more stages are on the itinerary today, but the next one, Les 4 Chemins, is a repeat of the cancelled SS7 and its running will depend on whether the rogue spectator cars have been cleared.