Loeb hunts more gravel glory

The championship leader believes he has a strong possibility of taking his fifth win of the season, but he admits that his rivals have just as good a chance on the rough stuff.

Asked if he could take victory, Loeb said: "Why not? The problem is that victory in Argentina seems just as possible for Marcus (Gronholm), Petter (Solberg) and Markko (Martin), not forgetting Carlos (Sainz) who will practically be on home ground! There is not just one favourite, but many!"

After his victory in Turkey though Loeb is full of confidence in his ability and believes his car will suit the conditions of Argentina reasonably well.

"I can say that my win in Turkey gave me immense joy and, for a number of reasons, a sense of intense satisfaction," he said. "It was good to show that I am capable of winning on the loose in a straight fight so soon after 'inheriting' ten points in Cyprus.

"With some adjustments to its set-up, the Xsara I drove in Turkey should be competitive in Argentina," he continued. "The jumps and the fords aren't a problem for the car, nor is the rougher going and its traction is now very good over the 'ribbed' portions. So it will be up to us to make the most of all that once the first loop of stages, over which we will probably play the role of 'road sweepers', is behind us..."

Loeb currently leads the championship by nine points from Subaru's Petter Solberg. Ford's Markko Martin is third, 19 points adrift of the Frenchman.