Good question. In general the higher altitude (where you find snow and ice) the harder it is to get there. So that may be a reason. You can't get to snow and ice from the big acces roads.
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From my experience it's not that good idea to go for a snow spot on a stage which is 90% without snow. You can expect that they will just cruise safely through. So snow yes, it's fun but not always.
Well, kind of agree with this statement. We must be aware, that on following events also other drivers will be much more faster and consequently threat to Loeb. Loeb is definitely the only one, who could be potentially faster on all four days of Monte (especially in conditions like previous days) against Ogier, but on other gravel events there are JML, Meeke, maybe Tanak, maybe Ostberg......it is not just game between Ogier and Loeb.
Monte again showed it is clearly in the drivers. Of course VW has a great car but how come that two-years retired Loeb can come and since the first stage fight for the victory while the Citroën regulars are nowhere near? Same goes to Kubica. People cry about works cars being light years faster but despite him being a kind of kamikaze he was still able to win stages on the regular basis with a private car.
Exactly my questions also !! The only logical answer could be (I repeat COULD BE!!) in the configuration of specific Monte conditions. You really can not exploit all the advantages of your (you can not drive 101% flat out..) car on these demanding and all the time changing stages (dry, wet, snow, ice, mud...).
We all know very well that for example Kubica will be totally lost on the next event Sweden, on the other hand we can expect much more from Ostberg and Tanak.....and of course JML.
If my theory is wrong, than, yes Mirek, I agree that we have some ''pussies'' in WRC circus.....and I'm not speaking here over Prokop, Bertelli, Protasov, H.Solberg....speaking of full factory contracted drivers....
I don't speak about "pussies" but about few extraordinary talented guys who simply are better than others.
every year the proper wrc starts in portugal... the others are just driver/car specific events.