Today`s second loop introduced two new stages : Vilaplana (28,33 km) tomorrow - and Pratdip (28,35 km) which will be run in the reverse direction tomorrow.
Both stages were expected to be damp and both Citroen drivers selected tyres for dry roads (N type) with a soft compound.
Sebastien Loeb : "In fact, Vilaplana was dry. I really paid attention to saving my tyres which were too soft for the conditions. I was also fearing similar conditions in the second stage of the loop…"

Dani Sola (Ford) chose a harder compound and the young Spaniard posted the fastest time on that stage, 6,4 s in front of Seb.

"Unlike stage 3, SS4 was really damp. I could push really hard as my tyres were working well in these conditions. I think it was a good compromise that we chose these tyres." The drivers who had selected harder compound were struggling a bit on stage 4.

François Duval who had the same tyre choice, made the same comment : "Not great on stage 3 and fantastic on SS4. I drove carefully, trying to follow the same pace as Marcus."

Kronos team private Xsara
Having chosen harder compound tyres, Xevi Pons found it "brilliant on SS3 where he set the third fastest time. But very tricky in the next one ".
The Spaniard is very satisfied with his car`s et-up and his 9th place, only ten seconds behind Galli in sixth.


Tags: citroen, xsara, catalunya, duval,