Zoom Sébastien Loeb have retired.

Despite having to sweep aside the top-coating of loose gravel this morning because of their position at the front of the field, Dani Sordo and Marc Martí succeeded in holding on to their advantage and continue to lead the Jordan Rally. However, their Citroën Sport team-mates Sébastien Loeb / Daniel Elena were sidelined following a collision with another competitor on a road section.

Sébastien Loeb : « We had just come out of the eleventh stage and were heading for the following test when we collided with another car which was on its way to SS 11. It was a narrow road and there wasn't room for two cars. It's an unfortunate blow which has put an end to our run for today. The team will now do all it can to make the necessary repairs and, if it's worth it, we will re-start under the SupeRally ruling tomorrow. I am obviously very disappointed for everyone in the team because our day had started well : we had moved into the lead and our C4 was going so well. It's also a tough blow for the Drivers' championship but this is only the fifth round of the season. A great deal can still happen. »

Dani Sordo : « We knew that running first on the road would be a handicap so I wasn't surprised when we suffered with all the 'road sweeping' we were faced with. I had nobody else's lines to go by and, in certain places, I really felt I was leaving a clear line for the others behind me in the order. Even so, I'm pleased with our morning and we have managed to stay in the lead, albeit by a small margin. Victory is by no means in the bag but we now go into the same stages which will be much cleaner this time round. I will try to keep up a good pace to defend our position and even perhaps increase our lead. »

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