Pas de surprise après la première boucle en Nouvelle Zélande, c’est bien Marcus qui est en tête. Grosse désillusion pour Rossi qui se morfond dans le fond du classement. Le général avant l’ES 3 à 2h50 :
- M. GRÖNHOLM 29:44.7
- M. HIRVONEN +11.8
- M. STOHL +19.9
- D. SORDO +27.2
- P. SOLBERG +38.4
- X. PONS +39.3
- H. SOLBERG +56.5
- L. PEREZ COMPANC +1:14.4
- M. WILSON +1:15.0
- C. ATKINSON +1:22.2
- V. ROSSI +4:31.0
Commentaires des pilotes :
Marcus Gronholm : « Yes its okay, on the first stage I hit a pole and my steering is a bit bent, but not a big problem«
Xavier Pons : « Not good, temperature problem in the car, in the middle of the stage not possible to go maximum«
Daniel Sordo : « Very very hard, alot of corners very slippery, alot of gravel in the corners for the first cars«
Petter Solberg : Finished with smoke and flames coming from the back left of the car – possibly some liquid leaking onto the back left brake disc. Complained that there was no grip or traction.
Valentino Rosso : « Very difficult also very long, like going to the airport in Bolona.«
