Loeb has home advantage

AJACCIO – Three-time reigning world champion Sebastien Loeb of France has the advantage of home soil when the Rally of France starts in Corsica today.

Loeb, in second place overall behind Finland’s Marcus Gronholm by six points before this 13th race of the 16-leg world championship, knows the Corsican roads well and is expected to excel once more on this Mediterranean Island. Loeb won the event in both 2005 and 2006 and is expected to complete a third consecutive victory, as he managed last week in Catalonia.However he believed his task would be harder because 60 percent of the routes had been relaid and there would be special stages unused since 1996.”This is a complicated event,” said Citroen Sport boss Guy Frequelin.”It’s a very beautiful rally and it’s pleasant to compete in France but that does not make it easier to negotiate.”Nampa-AFPLoeb won the event in both 2005 and 2006 and is expected to complete a third consecutive victory, as he managed last week in Catalonia.However he believed his task would be harder because 60 percent of the routes had been relaid and there would be special stages unused since 1996.”This is a complicated event,” said Citroen Sport boss Guy Frequelin.”It’s a very beautiful rally and it’s pleasant to compete in France but that does not make it easier to negotiate.”Nampa-AFP