Sebastien Loeb (Citroen) extended his lead at the head of the championship to 29 points after a risk-free drive. However, he could never afford to cruise with the hard-charging Duval closing in. Team-mate Carlos Sainz was unable to match's Duval's pace but third promoted him to third in the championship. Cedric Robert (Peugeot) claimed fifth on his full debut for the French manufacturer ahead of team-mate Freddy Loix. The final drivers' points went to Toni Gardemeister (Skoda) and Mikko Hirvonen (Subaru), who moved ahead of ex-Formula 1 driver Stéphane Sarrazin. There were no major retirements on the final day.
Next round
The championship heads to Japan in just two weeks for the first ever world rally there. The all-gravel Rally Japan is based in Obihiro, in the north of the country, on 2 - 5 September.
Final positions 1. S Loeb/D Elena F Citroen Xsara 4hr 01min 57.4sec 2. F Duval/S Prévot B Ford Focus RS 4hr 02min 26.5sec 3. C Sainz/M Marti E Citroen Xsara 4hr 03min 06.9sec 4. M Märtin/M Park EE Ford Focus RS 4hr 04min 37.8sec 5. C Robert/G Bedon F Peugeot 307 4hr 05min 27.5sec 6. F Loix/S Smeets B Peugeot 307 4hr 06min 03.4sec 7. T Gardemeister/P Lukander FIN Skoda Fabia 4hr 07min 41.6sec 8. M Hirvonen/J Lehtinen FIN Subaru Impreza 4hr 08min 38.5sec 9. S Sarrazin/P Pivato F Subaru Impreza 4hr 08min 56.3sec 10 A Bengue/C Escudero F Peugeot 206 4hr 12min 24.1sec
FIA World Rally Championship (after round 10 of 16) Drivers 1. S Loeb 76pts 2. M Märtin 47pts 3. C Sainz 46pts 4. P Solberg 44pts 5. M Grönholm 42pts 6. F Duval 39pts
Manufacturers 1. Citroen 125pts 2. Ford 96pts 3. Subaru 67pts 4. Peugeot 65pts 5. Mitsubishi 17pts
