Crash leaves Gronholm in hospital

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Championship leader Gronholm crashed his BP Ford into a wall in stage four, losing consciousness before being admitted to hospital for medical checks, while reigning champion Loeb (Citroen) took the leg one lead, 11.2 seconds ahead of team-mate Dani Sordo.

Gronholm, who will retire at the end of the season, and his co-driver Timo Rautianinen have been released from Sligo hospital but the crash has handed the initiative to the Frenchman, who requires victory in both rounds to claim a fourth successive world title.

Loeb said: "There is a lot of mud everywhere, so I just try to keep a good feeling.

"If I go too slowly I lose confidence and then I'm not able to drive. So I try to keep a good rhythm."

Gronholm held a four-point lead over Loeb at the top of the drivers' standings going into the race, the penultimate round of this year's championship, with only the Rally of Great Britain to follow.