Preview: Tough asphalt test ahead

As in Sanremo a fortnight ago, asphalt specialists Peugeot and Citroen are expected to dominate proceedings, with Gilles Panizzi and Philippe Bugalski the pre-event favourites. Indeed, Panizzi won here last year and is on winning form after his victory at Sanremo.

"I'm confident we can win here," said Panizzi. "Of course the competition will be tough but I have a fantastic feeling for the 206 on asphalt and we have a very good set-up."



Joint championship leaders, Ford's Colin McRae and Mitsubishi's Tommi Makinen will both be looking for much-needed championship points, after both scored zeroes in Sanremo. McRae will have to put to the back of his mind his horror smash on last year's event and, after an extensive test, Makinen will be hoping the new Lancer WRC performs better than its Sanremo debut, where he was running well down the leaderboard before retiring.

"It's going to be difficult to win here," admitted Makinen. "But if we get better reliability than we had in Sanremo, then there should be a chance to fight for some points."

McRae said: "It's not hard to see the asphalt specialists dominating. The aim is to come out of here with at least something, so that we can move on to the two remaining gravel rallies in a good position."

Both current third placed driver Carlos Sainz (Ford), and Richard Burns (Subaru), who is just two points behind the Spaniard, are still in with a chance to win this year's title. Ford and Subaru can expect to be closer to the action in Sanremo, their Pirelli tyres much more suited to the abrasive Corsican tarmac.