Loeb trapped

The dry conditions of this first day did not favor Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena (Citroën). The five-time World Champion crew was even trapped during the first braking of Ourique 1 (23,42 km).

Published on 03/04/2009 à 11:58

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“When we first braked, we stopped a meter too late. By the time I got into reverse, I found myself in my own dust. I no longer saw the road to leave,” says Sébastien at the stop point.

Leaders last night, Henning Solberg and Cato Menkerud (Stobart) experienced brake problems and lost more than thirty seconds.

By achieving the best time in this first test of the day, Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila (Ford) took first position in the general classification. The Finnish crew benefits from its seventh position this morning. “It’s a good start. The roads are quite slippery but I concentrated on my driving,” comments the Finnish driver who celebrates his 24th birthday today.

For their return to the special stages, Marcus Grönholm and Timo Rautiainen (Prodrive) are already in second place.