Loeb takes command in Turkey

Day two at the Rally of Turkey began with one of the pretenders to Sebastien Loeb's world crown, his French compatriot Sebastien Ogier, carrying a 2.8-second lead after Friday's opening nine special stages.

Halfway through Saturday's, Ogier had trebled his advantage but disaster struck on stage 15. Ogier was brought to a shuddering halt nearly 12 kilometers into the stage after a front tyre exploded. It cost him three minutes - and dropped him to fifth.

Ogier's misfortune propelled Loeb into the rally lead. Ogier wasn't the only driver to suffer a jolt - Finnish driver Jari-Matti Latvala crashed his Ford Focus on the opening stage.

Sebastien Loeb of France and his co-driver Daniel Elena of Monaco drive their Citroen C4 WRC on the second day of the Turkey Rally during the FIA World Rally Championship near Istanbul, April 17, 2010. REUTERS/Osman Orsal