Source: wrc.com
Sebastien Loeb's run of consecutive stage wins came to an end on Saturday's closing test - but it didn't really matter.
Loeb will start Sunday's WRC competition in Corsica with a 52.4sec lead and the best possible chance of taking his fourth successive Tour de Corse victory.
Mikko Hirvonen completed the day second; unable to challenge Loeb's pace but satisfied to have kept ahead of his BP Ford team-mate Duval.
Duval will begin the final day of competition third, 4.3sec behind Hirvonen but not aiming to challenge him
Saturday brought more close competition in the battle for fourth. Jari-Matti Latvala of the Stobart VK M-Sport squad and Subaru World Rally Team driver Petter Solberg traded times throughout the day but it was Latvala who came out on top after a string of competitive times in the afternoon.
The Finn will start Sunday's competition with a 22sec advantage over Solberg.
Chris Atkinson completed the day in sixth, but after his earlier puncture he was 1min53sec adrift of his team-mate, and had a similar cushion to Urmo Aava behind him in seventh.
Brice Tirabassi holds eighth - the final points winning place - after a steady day in his Impreza WRC2008. But with Matthew Wilson and Mads Ostberg both less than eight seconds behind, he's going to have a fight on his hands tomorrow.
photo:Citroën Sport
Sebastien Loeb's run of consecutive stage wins came to an end on Saturday's closing test - but it didn't really matter.
Loeb will start Sunday's WRC competition in Corsica with a 52.4sec lead and the best possible chance of taking his fourth successive Tour de Corse victory.
Mikko Hirvonen completed the day second; unable to challenge Loeb's pace but satisfied to have kept ahead of his BP Ford team-mate Duval.
Duval will begin the final day of competition third, 4.3sec behind Hirvonen but not aiming to challenge him
Saturday brought more close competition in the battle for fourth. Jari-Matti Latvala of the Stobart VK M-Sport squad and Subaru World Rally Team driver Petter Solberg traded times throughout the day but it was Latvala who came out on top after a string of competitive times in the afternoon.
The Finn will start Sunday's competition with a 22sec advantage over Solberg.
Chris Atkinson completed the day in sixth, but after his earlier puncture he was 1min53sec adrift of his team-mate, and had a similar cushion to Urmo Aava behind him in seventh.
Brice Tirabassi holds eighth - the final points winning place - after a steady day in his Impreza WRC2008. But with Matthew Wilson and Mads Ostberg both less than eight seconds behind, he's going to have a fight on his hands tomorrow.
photo:Citroën Sport