History 2000s

2005 Cyprus Rally (Cyprus)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2005 Cyprus Rally (Cyprus)

Date: May 13–15, 2005

Start Location: Limassol, Cyprus

Finish Location: Limassol, Cyprus

Total Distance: ~950 km (estimated full route)

Competitive Stages: 326.69 km

Surface: Gravel (slow, rocky, technical)

The Cyprus Rally was known as one of the most brutal events on the WRC calendar, with rocky roads, tight corners, and punishing heat. Sébastien Loeb rose to the challenge once more, pacing himself expertly while many rivals faltered, and collecting yet another win for Citroën in a race of attrition and patience.

Route

Monagri: Narrow and twisty, with loose gravel and exposed rock outcrops — demanded maximum focus.
Asgata: Fastest stage of the rally, but still layered with dust and aggressive cornering challenges.
Kelokedhara: Known for deep ruts and suspension-killing impacts — required cautious pace and precision tire placement.

The event featured some of the slowest average speeds in the WRC due to the technical nature and ruggedness of the terrain. Key stages included:

Heat, attrition, and road degradation played major roles — the second pass over stages became a minefield of ruts, rocks, and dust traps.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Sébastien Loeb & Daniel Elena · Citroën Xsara WRC
2nd Place
Petter Solberg & Phil Mills · Subaru Impreza WRC
3rd Place
Marcus Grönholm & Timo Rautiainen · Peugeot 307 WRC

Loeb didn’t push beyond what the conditions allowed, instead delivering a controlled performance that paid off as others struggled with mechanical failures and punctures. Solberg stayed close but had minor suspension issues, while Grönholm recovered from an early spin to salvage third.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Extreme Heat: Cockpit temperatures reached punishing levels — hydration and stamina were key for crews.
  • Suspension Survival: Many drivers retired due to broken dampers and snapped control arms — Loeb’s careful inputs preserved his car.
  • Dust and Visibility: Hanging dust through slow sections made visibility difficult — clear air and patience were decisive advantages.

By winning Cyprus, Loeb extended his lead in the standings and proved once again that success in the WRC isn’t just about speed — it's about reading the road, controlling the pace, and finishing when others can’t.

← Previous Event 2005 Rally Italia Sardegna (Italy)
Back to Events Index
2005 Rally of Turkey (Turkey) Next Event →

Watch rallies anywhere — bypass region blocks with NordVPN.

Fast servers for HD streams Servers in 60+ countries 30-day money-back

Unblock coverage — Save up to 77% + 3 months free

Sponsored link. Using our partner links helps support Compromised Internals at no extra cost to you.