Leg 1: McRae leads the way

McRae will now get the benefit of running further back on the road as the top 15 drivers will start tomorrow's eight stages in reverse order, thereby avoiding 'cleaning' the road surface for later cars. However, this could be a double-edged sword as the roads will be considerably rougher and the potential for tyre and suspension damage will be increased.

This could be crucial, because McRae is locked in combat with former world champion Marcus Gronholm, the pair split by under seven seconds. Gronholm had to run first on the road today as championship leader with McRae six places further back after his poor start to the season. The Finn has therefore clearly been driving out of his skin and tomorrow's battle could be a classic.

McRae has fared far better than current world champion Richard Burns who has failed to get to grips with the Peugeot on what is his first gravel event of the season with his new team.

The day has been one of drama for Carlos Sainz whose performance was hit by a damaged drive shaft on the opening stage, and he had to complete two more before reaching a service area. Then just at the same point on the second runs of the stages, the Ford's power steering failed and the Spaniard has struggled home outside the top 20.

Petter Solberg is another driver to struggle, a throttle problem on SS3 costing him four minutes. He was in tears as he arrived at service but McRae took his old team-mate aside and calmed him down sufficiently for Solberg to set fastest time on SS4.

Driveshaft problems have blighted Alister McRae's event in the Mitsubishi after Colin's younger brother got off to a good start. In the end he has limped through this afternoon to finish near the foot of the top 20, almost five minutes behind his brother.

Gilles Panizzi has not enjoyed a happy Cyprus Rally, the asphalt supremo unable to match his winning form from Corsica and Catalunya and Harri Rovanpera has also not quite managed to set the stages alight, ending today just ahead of Burns.

There is still a long way to go, however, and tomorrow is a very long day with eight stages totalling 145.97 gruelling twisting kilometres to the west of Limassol.

For full times from SS6, click here.

For full rally live timings, click here.

For rally itinerary, click here.

For full entry list, click here.