Following its absence from the 2008 calendar, the Rally de Portugal returns to the FIA World Rally Championship this year. For Citroën Total WRT, which saw both its C4 WRCs finish on the podium here two years ago, this weekend’s encounter will provide a pointer to the real potential of the different runners and riders on the loose. Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena have yet to be beaten in 2009 and will looking to build on their current run. For Dani Sordo and Marc Marti, the proximity of Spain will be an added source of motivation as they target a top-three finish.

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The Rally de Portugal is one of world class rallying’s classic fixtures, and this year sees it return to the WRC fold with a significantly revised route and the Estadio Algarve as its epicentre. The stadium will also serve as backdrop for the super-special which is always a highlight for the connoisseur Portuguese spectators.

After claiming victory on the first three rounds of the 2009 championship, Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena go to the first all-gravel showdown of the year intent on continuing their winning streak. “The Citroën C4 WRC is competitive on all the different types of surface, as our recent successes in the rain in Ireland, on snow in Norway and on the mixed-surface Cyprus Rally show,” observes the five-time World Champion. “Portugal marks the return of a more conventional format. If we are competitive here, it would suggest that we are also likely to be strong on the year’s other gravel rounds.”