Leg 2: Still Loeb, Makinen in attack

Loeb and new Subaru signing Makinen traded fastest stage times throughout the day, and although the four-time world champ won the battle with three stage wins to Loeb's two, it was the young Frenchman who came out on top.

With two of the day's stages still to run, Makinen insisted he could still catch his Citroen rival. But despite taking seven seconds off Loeb on the day's final run over the famous Col du Turini, the 27-year-old was still just under half a minute clear at the close.

"We chose the same tyres as yesterday (Friday) and instantly it was better," said Makinen. "There is still some distance to go and the Turini is longer again tomorrow (Sunday). I think there's a good chance we can catch Sebastien."

Behind the lead protagonists, Carlos Sainz plugged away consistently throughout the day and despite a slow opening stage on SS6, he found himself in third overall.

The Spaniard's Ford team mate Colin McRae had a much more eventful day, including a broken seat and a 360 degree spin on SS9. The Scotsman makes no secret of the fact that the Monte is far from one of his favourite events and further problems on the final section will not have helped.

The exhaust on McRae's Focus burst on SS11 causing engine problems and the loss of two places, leaving him fifth at the end of the day almost three minutes adrift of the leaders.

Meanwhile, Marcus Gronholm decided throwing caution to the wind was not sensible, but a more conservative approach seemed to work for the Finn, who kept out of trouble to hold onto fourth place in the lead Peugeot.

Team mate Richard Burns was still getting to grips with his new charge and with his tall frame not fitting comfortably into the 206 WRC, the world champion's confidence was sapped, leaving him just outside the points in seventh.

Award for most erratic form of the day goes to Subaru's Petter Solberg, who took a stage win on the opening section, but then hit a wall on SS7 and got a puncture on SS9. Despite the Norwegians up-and-down day he finished where he started, sixth overall.

The only notable additions to the retirements were Skoda's Roman Kresta, who hit a wall, and the Bozian-run Peugeot of Harri Rovanpera which succumbed to broken suspension.

Loeb might look comfortable at the top heading into the final Leg, but the win is by no means his. Not only does he have to hope that his Xsara T4 holds out, but the Citroen protégé also has four-time world champ Makinen ready to pounce in second. With four treacherous stages to run on Sunday, it's all to play for.