TNT Sports
Loeb puts title before win
By
Published 27/09/2005 at 14:53 GMT+1
The World Rally Championship quits the tragic events of Wales Rally GB earlier this month for the land of the Rising Sun and the Rally of Japan. Citroen's Sebastien Loeb requires just six points to claim the title after deciding against winning it in Wale
Eurosport
Image credit: TNT Sports
Loeb was heading for victory on Wales Rally GB before Markko Martin's tragic accident on Stage 15 cost the life of his co-driver Michael Park, forcing Peugeot to retire Marcus Gronholm from the event as a mark of respect, putting Loeb in the position of virtual champion.
However, Loeb arrived two minutes early at the official closing ceremony and was consequently penalised two minutes, dropping him from the lead to third, thus putting his title celebrations on ice and handing Subaru's Petter Solberg a hollow fourth consecutive victory in Wales.
"The final leaderboard showed that I won the event, but in my mind I finished second," Said Solberg. "Sebastien deserved the win, but I can understand the reasons why he did what he did. But now we all have to keep going - it's what Beef would have wanted."
The Norwegian is chasing a second successive victory on Japan's most northern island this weekend, and with main rival Sebastien Loeb seemingly more concentrated on securing his title, for which he only needs to finish third or better, his chances are good.
"My priority will be the championship," Loeb said. "Rally Japan is not one of the events I want to win the most. If I see that keeping up with the leader – or leaders – means that I have to take excessive risks, then I will concentrate on the championship and try to wrap it up in Japan.
"It will be nice to be able to go to Corsica with a free mind," he adds. "The Tour of Corsica is one of the rallies I really do want to win!"
The Frenchman lies 34 points ahead of Peugeot's Marcus Gronholm going into the event and therefore needs only to finish no less then six points behind the Finn in order to be crowned 2005 champion.
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