Gronholm ahead of Loeb
22/01/06 11:57
Finland's Marcus Gronholm maintained his lead in the Monte Carlo Rally, despite Sebastien Loeb grabbing five stage wins in his Citroen on Saturday.
Double world champion and Frenchman Loeb, skidded off the road on the opening day's final stage on Friday.
But Saturday was a clean sweep for Loeb, and he won of most of Sunday's stages too bringing him up to 2nd place.
Former double champion Gronholm had to be content with one stage win but that was enough to maintain his overnight lead.
"If I don't have any problems I should be able to remain in the lead right up to the finish," he said. And indeed he did.
"I'm happy to be in front but I don't like the changeable conditions. It's about survival, not driving as fast as possible."
Popov's car, like Loeb's, spun off the road and headed down the mountainside, finally coming to rest in a mangled heap. Fortunately neither driver nor co-driver was seriously hurt.
Double world champion and Frenchman Loeb, skidded off the road on the opening day's final stage on Friday.
But Saturday was a clean sweep for Loeb, and he won of most of Sunday's stages too bringing him up to 2nd place.
Former double champion Gronholm had to be content with one stage win but that was enough to maintain his overnight lead.
"If I don't have any problems I should be able to remain in the lead right up to the finish," he said. And indeed he did.
"I'm happy to be in front but I don't like the changeable conditions. It's about survival, not driving as fast as possible."
Popov's car, like Loeb's, spun off the road and headed down the mountainside, finally coming to rest in a mangled heap. Fortunately neither driver nor co-driver was seriously hurt.
