Provera: gravel rallies are big test

Drivers Marcus Gronholm, Harri Rovanpera and Didier Auriol failed to finish the tough Cypriot event last year and although the car has been dominant on asphalt this season, Provera says the forthcoming Cyprus, Argentinian, Acropolis and Safari rallies will be crucial to gauge potential of the 206.

"Cyprus will be a big test," said the flamboyant Italian. "It will allow us to see whether the 206 World Rally Car is now capable of being competitive on the rougher rallies. It was in Cyprus last year that the latest evolution of the 206 made its debut. None of our cars reached the finish.

"After Cyprus we finished third on the Acropolis and then came second on the Safari, but we were not particularly strong on either of these two rallies. Since then, we have put in a great deal of work, and that is why we are eager to see where we stand in comparison with our rivals. It's with humility that we go into this series of four rallies which have yet to be won by the 206 WRC."

Finland's Rovanpera replaces Gilles Panizzi in the third works 206 in Cyprus, after contesting the last couple of rallies in a lower spec car run by the Bozian Racing rally team. Rovanpera, whose best result this year was second overall in Sweden, is hoping the car is strong enough to win in Cyprus.

"I believe we can win," he said. "But I think the competition on gravel will be very fierce. I tested in Cyprus prior to the Tour de Corse and those tests went off remarkably well."