Skoda aiming high

The Octavia WRC has been fighting for positions just outside the top 10 on the previous tarmac rallies in Corsica and Spain, but the rough Cyprus event is one where strength and reliability is perhaps more important than out-and-out speed, so Gardemeister is aiming for points.

"I don't really know what is possible in Cyprus and the rough rallies," Gardemeister told AUTOSPORT. "I think we can push for points, certainly, but if everything goes well then we can try and match Armin's podium place.

"We can be quite fast on gravel, I'm sure, but this year there are more top entries and fewer retirements than ever before. It'll be difficult, but if it's going to happen anywhere it will happen in the next few events."

The Czech team's young charger Roman Kresta couldn't believe just how rough the roads are in Cyprus and the rain that has been falling in Cyprus recently has added an extra problem for the crews to deal with.

"Today on shakedown it reminded me of the Safari," said the Czech. "The gravel is really terrible. The tricky thing is that the surface is not homogenous - it's mostly dry, but then it can be soft and even wet in places. The tyres will play a vital role here."