Loeb on top in Wales

Sebastien Loeb tightened his grip on the Wales Rally GB with a controlled display this morning.

The Frenchman won two of today’s first three stages to ease his way to a 17.2-second lead over world champion Petter Solberg.

Loeb, who drives for Citroen, admitted yesterday’s late flurry from Solberg convinced him to push harder as he chases the win which would take him a step nearer his first world title.

He said: “I need some points. Solberg is catching and it will be difficult to keep him behind me, but we will see.

“I’m driving like I feel and sure sometimes it’s too much but that’s the same for everyone.

“The best way for me to keep my concentration, I think, is to keep pushing.”

Solberg feels he still has the speed to overhaul Loeb.

The Subaru driver said: “It will not be easy and there will be a good fight until Sunday like usual but I’m going to do it.

“After curing the suspension problems from the opening stages, I’ve got a comfortable pace and there’s more in reserve. I’ve got a good feeling with no worries.”

Markko Martin moved his Ford up into the podium places courtesy of Marcus Gronholm’s troubles.

The Peugeot driver tore a wheel off in a stage-nine accident and was forced to retire on the spot.

Gronholm’s misfortune helped Isle of Man driver Mark Higgins move into the world championship points.

Higgins, enjoying a one-off drive in a semi-works Ford Focus, has been consistent throughout and is now reaping the benefits after moving up to eighth.

The top eight are well spread out though, with Ford’s Francois Duval in fifth, Mikko Hirvonen sixth for Subaru and Peugeot’s Harri Rovanpera seventh.

Britain’s other world rally hopefuls are holding their own on day two with Alistair Ginley up to 16th in his Subaru, one place ahead of Ford youngster Matthew Wilson.

Alister McRae is on the verge of a home victory in the production class which would put him top of the title race.

Britain could be celebrating two class wins come tomorrow’s finish as Guy Wilks is within a minute of junior class leader Mirco Baldacci, in third for Suzuki.

Fellow junior world championship driver Guerlain Chicherit and co-driver Matthieu Baumel have been released from hospital after a bad accident yesterday.

Chicherit lost control of his Citroen on stage six and crashed into the already-stranded Renault of Mathieu Biasion, which had been wedged between two trees in an earlier accident.

Frenchmen Chicherit and Baumel were taken to Morriston Hospital for checks but released soon after. Biasion and co-driver Eric Domenech were also released from hospital after checks.