Gronholm out of rally - bad rally for Peugeot

The Finn worked frantically on trying to fix the problem, pouring cold water on the various pumps and injectors, but had to give up and retire from the event before he could make it back to service in Lemesos. It is his fifth retirement of the season.

Co-driver Timo Rautiainen reported that the car was travelling at 70kph on a road section, then stopped suddenly. They have also reported to the team that the fuel pump was making strange noises.

Gronholm's retirement means it is defending makes' champion Peugeot's third 100 percent retirement of the season - despite Cyprus marking the first appearance of a more robust 206 WRC evolution.

Gronholm was third overall after 18 stages and was in desperate need of points after a dreadful start to his season. After six events, the Peugeot ace is on four points, compared to the 27 of WRC leader Tommi Makinen, who also retired in Cyprus.