The tandems of Sébastien Loeb/Daniel Elena and Dani Sordo/Marc Martí won the Catalunya Rally in convincing form last weekend, following on from the squad’s debut victory in Mexico three weeks ago.

The reigning World Champions’ second consecutive win in Spain, and the 22nd of their joint career, came on their 60th rally in the Xsara WRC. This puts Seb just four wins away from Carlos Sainz’s legendary record of 26 victories, while Daniel is just two wins away from the co-drivers’ record of 24 wins, held by Luis Moya.

Loeb and Elena have now extended their 2006 championship lead to nine points, while the Xsara scored its 26th triumph.

"It’s been an excellent end to what’s not been an easy weekend, with a win for me, second for Dani and a one-two for Kronos," Loeb said.

According to Loeb, the fight with Marcus Grönholm at the start of the rally was a close one. He explained that after the team solved a few small brake problems and adjusted the car’s set-up, it was evident that the Citroen-BF Goodrich package still tops the performance on asphalt.

"I’m very happy to win a rally which I enjoy so much for the second time. I’d like it even more if we could solve the problem of corner-cutting: I feel for my car when I have to throw it into those holes. From a driver’s point of view, it’s a shame to have to change down to third gear for a corner you could take in fifth if you kept all four wheels on the asphalt," Loeb said.

Having won the Junior World Rally Championship event and title at the wheel of a Citroen C2 in Spain last year, Dani Sordo was competing on his fourth rally in a World Rally Car – for the first time on asphalt.

The young Spaniard set a top-three time on 10 out of 16 stages, and took his first fastest stage time at the wheel of a World Rally Car. He then protected the advantage he had built up over the preceding two legs, in order to demonstrate the many facets of his talent.