SS 2 cancelled due to crowd trouble

The move comes just days after Max Mosley, president of motorsport's governing body the FIA, underlined the fact that any issues over crowd safety would be dealt with severely.

Reports suggest that there are simply too many spectators lining the side of the tight and twisty mountain roads and with stages three and four re-runs of the morning's first two sections, the cancellation casts doubt over this afternoon's running.

Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery said: "Safety is of course absolutely crucial but it is frustrating for everyone when a predictable situation isn't stopped in advance. Sisteron is a famous stage but everyone knows that it is also one that can change the outcome of the rally for good or bad and to have to cancel it is a great shame.

"After our drivers had taken the first three places on the first stage we were hoping for an even better result on Sisteron to, hopefully, open up an advantage."

Carlos Sainz is currently leading the event after the first stage with the Spaniard topping the times just 0.9s ahead of the Subaru of Tommi Makinen.

Colin McRae finished third fastest with Gilles Panizzi fourth in the lead Peugeot 206 WRC. Despite the Frenchman's pace on the 28.74km test, he is already well down the overall leaderboard due to a 130-second penalty, which he incurred for leaving the first service area late after a hydraulic leak.

Reigning world champion Richard Burns made a steady start to his 2002 campaign finishing 13th fastest, more than half a minute behind the leaders. Team mate Marcus Gronholm in the third Peugeot was ninth.

For full times from SS2, click here.

For full rally live timings, click here.

For rally itinerary, click here.

For full entry list, click here.