A switch for this year’s rally in Italy — instead of the sealed roads of San Remo, the WRC comes to the island of Sardina, with it’s narrow, sandy roads. Both Sebastien Loeb and Petter Solberg downplayed their chances to win, given their unenviable tasks of running first on the roads on day one, acting as sweepers for everyone else.

But, heading into the day’s last service, Petter Solberg is holding a thirty second lead over Marcus Gronholm and Sebastien Loeb. Markko Martin is fourth, Carlos Sainz fifth, Harri Rovanpera sixth, and Francois Duval seventh. All are less than 60 seconds behind Solberg, though this gap should grow greater as the drivers make their second pass through the opening stages, negating an any disadvantage Solberg and Loeb have.

End of Leg Update

Solberg will take a 30 second lead over Marcus Gronholm into Leg 2. Sebastien Loeb is lurking close behind, 34 seconds off Solberg’s pace. The rest of the field is slowing slipping away, with Markko Martin just under a minute behind Solberg. The reigning champ will be running last on the road tomorrow, giving him the opportunity to adjust his pace according to Loeb and Gronholm, and Solberg generally does well holding onto a lead.

Posted on 1 October 2004