Loeb forced to change puncture

More drama on the final day in Greece as rally leader Sebastien Loeb has to stop and change a puncture in SS20...

27 May 2012

Sebastien Loeb (FRA) Daniel Elena (MON), Citroën DS3 WRC, Citroën Total World Rally Team — Sebastien Loeb (FRA) Daniel Elena (MON), Citroën DS3 WRC, Citroën Total…
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Citroen's Sebastien Loeb has had to stop on the repeat run through Aghii to change a puncture, although he still remains in the lead of the Acropolis Rally of Greece.

Following Petter Solberg's retirement in the opening test today, Loeb was handed a commanding lead and going into the final three stages he was just over 2 minutes up on his Citroen team-mate, Mikko Hirvonen. That cushion proved crucial too as it meant he could stop in SS20 and change the tyre without losing the rally lead.

"I had a puncture, I don't know where," Loeb told the official WRC site. "It was on the rear left after three kilometres and I said to Daniel [Elena - my co-driver] 'puncture' so we decided to change immediately the wheel because it would be impossible to finish without breaking anything. After we pushed.

"I knew I had a good lead and could do it safely without taking a big risk so that's what we have done."

Loeb now leads by 40 seconds, with two stages to go, including the event ending 3.97 km Power Stage...