Citroen team leader Sebastien Loeb is predicting that there will be a 'big fight' for the win in Turkey next week, the final round in the World Rally Championship before the summer break.

Loeb re-took the lead in the race for the 2008 drivers' title last time out in Greece and he will now be looking to try and pull out a bit of a lead. The Frenchman has won five of the seven rounds so far this season, but despite that he is only 1 point in front of BP Ford Abu Dhabi's Mikko Hirvonen.

Now having just got back in front of the Finn, the four-time world champion is determined to ensure he defends his position.

"It took two wins in a row to retrieve top spot, so there is no question of letting it slip from our grasp again," he vowed.

"That said, even though we don't drive as much on bare bedrock here as we did in Greece, I know Turkey won't be easy. The stages are very varied, with a big range of difficulties.

"On top of that, my last participation on this event was three years ago because my shoulder injury prevented me from starting in 2006. That shouldn't be too much of a problem, though, because the stages have changed little since 2005."

Loeb has competed in Turkey three times in total and while he retired in 2003, he won the round in 2004 and 2005. A third win next Sunday in Kemer would be well timed and while he will have the added challenge of playing the road sweeper on day 1 - a privilege that goes to the championship leader - his main concern is with the tyres.

Indeed like in Greece he believes that it will be crucial to look after the Pirellis and to adopt some tyre management.

"One big difference to previous outings in Turkey will be the tyre factor," he continued. "The result could well depend on how well we succeed in looking after our Pirelli tyres.

"Once again, Daniel [Elena] and I face the delights of 'road-sweeping' too and that promises to be a big handicap, unless the conditions are damp. The work Citroën Sport has put in with the C4 WRC means we will however have a competitive and reliable car. To boost our chances and those of Citroën in our respective championships, we will be targeting victory. But I think we can expect a big fight for the win."