Loeb expects close fight in Spain

The Frenchman is currently 10 points behind Marcus Gronholm after the Finn defeated him by 0.3 seconds in New Zealand, and Loeb believes that it will be difficult for anyone to open out a big lead at the next event.

"We will need to hit the ground running," he said. "The pace is usually very fast and it can be difficult to pull out a real gap, so it will be important to be able to push from the word go."

Loeb has already taken asphalt victories in Monte Carlo and Germany, and he is hoping that some of the other drivers will be able to get ahead of Gronholm, as Francois Duval did in Germany.

"Our objective will be to try to win," he added, "and hope that some of our rivals succeed in splitting Marcus."

Loeb's title bid will be aided by the return of Duval in a Kronos-run Citroen Xsara, but the world champion's teammate Dani Sordo is also hoping to give the Ford drivers some trouble on his home event.

"I will endeavour to finish ahead of Mikko Hirvonen, and above all, Marcus Gronholm," said Sordo. "The best way I can help Sebastien is by depriving his rivals of points.

"We know it won't be easy but I hope I will be able to profit from my good feeling on asphalt."