Loeb braced for a rough ride in Sweden

CITROEN’S Sebastien Loeb admits he faces a tough task to claim victory in his 100th world rally event in Sweden this weekend.

The Frenchman clinched a record-breaking fifth win in Monte Carlo in the season-opener last time out, but is expecting a tougher assignment when he brings up his ton in Scandinavia, where local drivers traditionally shine.

“My 100th start is a nice round figure, but it’s not that important to me,” said the reigning four-time world champion.

“Our objective will be to try to win, which won’t be easy. For one thing, we will start the weekend running first on the road and that can often be a handicap in Sweden.”

Loeb is the only non-Nordic driver to win the Swedish rally in its 57-year history – back in 2004 – but he insists that a healthy points haul is his main priority, with Ford’s Mikko Hirvonen tipped to shine this weekend.

He added: “Sure, it would be nice to celebrate our 100th start with a win but scoring points in both championships will also be important and I will base my pace on the way the rally unfolds.”

The gravel roads around the event’s base in Karlstad are normally covered in compacted snow and ice, and the extreme conditions mean Pirelli have unveiled a new tyre for this weekend, each studded with 400 tungsten-tipped spikes.

The narrower tyres should find more grip, and with the snow finally arriving in Sweden this week after a mild spell, competitors are expecting to enjoy a significant performance boost.

“When the studs bite, you can do what you want with your car and it is tremendous fun,” said Loeb’s Spanish team-mate Dani Sordo. Finn Hirvonen, runner-up in Monte Carlo two weeks ago, knows that a good result this weekend is crucial if he is to take the title fight to Loeb in 2008.

The Ford driver has a good record at winter events, coming home third in this event last season and claiming victory in the subsequent Norway Rally.

“Everyone is asking if I feel I’m the favourite,” said the 27-year-old. “There’s a little pressure, but I felt pressure in Monte Carlo and had a good result there.

“This is the first rally that I’m really thinking I have to win if I want to fight for the drivers’ title.”

Meanwhile, Britain’s Matthew Wilson has set his sights on a top-10 finish for Stobart Ford in Sweden after a mechanical failure saw him retire from the event last season. Last year was unfortunate with what happened in the extremely cold temperatures so this time round getting to the finish is priority and hopefully a good result can follow suit,” said Wilson.