Albertini talks down IRC 2WD Cup title hopes

Stefano Albertini is refusing to acknowledge the possibility that he can win the IRC 2WD Cup this season, despite back-to-back victories promoting him into second position in the title fight.

The Italian youngster starts this week’s Rallye Sanremo five points behind long-term leader Jean-Michel Raoux. However, the Renault Clio R3 pilot has yet to commit to the season-closing rounds in Scotland and Cyprus.

Even if he claimed a maximum score on home soil, the prospect of Albertini remaining top of the standings come the end of the year if he failed to contest any further rounds is remote.

“First I have to finish this rally and then we’ll see”, said the former Italian Junior champion. “It would mean that I would contest the next rallies in Scotland and Cyprus [and this is not part of my original programme.”

Albertini is tackling the asphalt event for a fourth time this season following outings in 2007, 2009 and 2010.

“It’s a long and quite challenging rally”, he said. “The most difficult part will be the 44-kilometre Ronde stage which will be contested at night and is likely to make the difference, though Saturday will be a very intensive day.”