Gronholm leads Monte Carlo Rally

Marcus Gronholm powered into a 30-second lead at the midway point on the opening day of the Monte Carlo Rally in the snow-covered French Alps.

Gronholm set a blistering pace to win the first two special stages in his Peugeot 206 before his rivals finally hit back, with Colin McRae - on his Citroen debut - emerging as one of the main threats.

The Finn leads by 30.6 seconds from McRae - both men have never won the world's most famous rally - with Norway's Petter Solberg less than three seconds behind for Subaru.

Gronholm, who romped to his second world title last season with five wins, quickly showed he will be the man to beat this year as the 71st Monte got underway.

The 34-year-old had established a lead of almost 38 seconds over McRae with his searing pace over the first two stages before McRae responded as the drivers repeated the opening 17-mile test between Prunieres and Embrun.