BACK TO FRONT FOR LOEB IN MONTE CARLO
26 January 2006 - Citroën UK Ltd

World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb grabbed a courageous second place in the snow and ice of the Monte Carlo Rally this weekend after incurring a five minute penalty at the end of day one for failing to finish the stage.

The debut event of the 2006 World Rally Championship saw an incredible fight back from the World Rally Champion and a precious 11 manufacturer’s points for Kronos Total Citroën WRT, including three from Spanish team mate Xevi Pons.

Starting back in eighth place on day two, nearly four minutes behind the leader, Loeb moved through the field, taking 10 stage victories, to seize a dramatic second place on the very last stage of the three day rally.

Sébastien Loeb commented: ''I can honestly say that, from the inside of the car, this rally turned into a thrilling chase; the sort of battle that I really like. It showed us that our Xsara can more than stand up to the opposition.''

Leaderboard after Rally of Monte Carlo

1
M.Grönholm/T.Rautianien (Ford Focus)
4h 11min 43.9 secs

2
S.Loeb/D.Elena (Citroën Xsara)
+1 min 1.8 secs

3
T.Gardemeister/J.Honkanen (Peugeot 307)
+ 1 min 23.1 secs

4
M.Stohl/I.Minor (Peugeot 307)
+ 1 min 42.3 secs

5
S.Sarrazin/S.Prevot (Subaru Impreza)
+3 min 20.2 secs

6
Ch.Atkinson/G.Macneall (Subaru Impreza)
+5 min 2.4 secs

7
M.Hirvonen/J.Lehtinen (Ford Focus)
+6 min 19.5 secs

8
D.Sordo/M.Marti (Citroën Xsara)
+7 min 15.2 secs

9
X.Pons/C.Del Barrio (Citroën Xsara)
+7 min 42.9 secs

10
G.Panizzi/H.Panizzi (Skoda Fabia)
+9 min 29.8 secs

FIA World Rally Championship after round 1 - Manufacturers

1. BP Ford WRT, 14 pts – 2. Kronos Total Citroën WRT, 11 pts – 3. OMV Peugeot Norway, 6 pts – 4. Subaru WRT, 5pts – 5. Red Bull-Skoda, 3pts

FIA World Rally Championship after round 1 - Drivers

1. M.Grönholm (FIN), 10 pts – 2. S.Loeb (FRA), 8pts – 3. T.Gardemiester (FIN), 6pts – 4. M.Stohl (A), 5pts – 5. S.Sarrazin (F), 4pts – 6. Ch.Atkinson (AUS), 3pts – 7. M.Hirvonen (FIN), 2pts – 8. D.Sordo (E), 1pt.

*All results subject to FIA confirmation.

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