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This weekend, two of the greatest icons in World Rally Championship history, Sébastien Loeb and Carlos Sainz, are set to go head-to-head once again on the asphalt stages of the historic Rally de Asturias, which also serves as a testimonial event for Sainz.
"El Matador" will take to the tarmac behind the wheel of a Ford Puma Rally1, while Loeb will pilot his Peugeot 306 Maxi Kit Car. Sainz will be reunited with his iconic WRC co-driver Luis Moya, while Loeb will compete alongside Isabelle Galmiche, with whom he won the 2022 Monte Carlo Rally to secure his 80th career WRC victory.
The entry list features several other standout names, including François Delecour (Peugeot 306 Maxi Kit Car), Simon Jean-Joseph (Subaru Impreza), and Gustavo Trelles (Subaru Impreza) — all drivers who enjoyed major success in the WRC, as well as the European Rally Championship in Jean-Joseph's case.
A total of 67 crews have signed up for the event, with the cars broadly divided into four categories: post-2001, up to 2000, up to 1992, and pre-1981.
Spanish pundits have already pointed out that whichever of the two legends falls short this weekend will have an immediate shot at revenge at the Dakar Rally in January, regardless of whether it takes place in Saudi Arabia or Africa.
Photo: Asier Gallo Rally Foto profile on x.com
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