Loeb not 'afraid' to go head-to-head with Solberg.

Reigning world champion, Sebastien Loeb has revealed that one of the things that have given him the most pleasure of late - is not only his back-to-back victories, but the fact he has managed to beat Petter Solberg fair and square.

The Frenchman, who now leads the drivers' championship, one point ahead of 'Hollywood', added that while he has never been 'scared' to fight the Subaru ace, he never seemed to come out top last year!

"It's good to win ahead of Petter," he explained.

"Last season, when I found myself fighting with Marcus [Gronholm], I often came out on top but it was the other way round with Petter.

"I have never been scared to fight him head to head. I know when I put in a faultless run over a stage and when I do, if he finishes well ahead of me, then I know the only thing for us all to do is to work even harder.

"Perhaps that's what he's telling himself at the moment? But the table can quickly turn again. That's why we can't afford to ease up in the slightest way and that's also what's making this year's championship so interesting!"

This weekend though the tables have in effect already turned, as now it is Loeb that will have to start first on the road, whereas in NZ and Sardinia, that honour fell to Solberg, who was then leading the championship.

"In Cyprus, being first on the road isn't easy," added the Citroen driver, who faces sweeping away the lose gravel, leaving a faster line for those behind.

"It can even be a big handicap on Friday's opening loop. The stages are the same as 2004 and I hope they don't cut up too much. Last year we had the impression that they were just as we had left them after two runs in 2003!

"As I have said before though, the fact that I will serve as 'road sweeper' on the Friday is because I am leading the championship. For that reason, I would be happy to start every event first on the road!"