[Raceboy]

Duval wins ROC Junior Rally Masters title.
Belgian ace Francois Duval emerged victorious from the maiden Michelin Race of Champions Junior Rally Masters event in Gran Canaria, beating FIA Super 1600 world champion Sebastien Loeb in the final.

Duval beat Loeb in both heats of the final, winning by four seconds in the opening Toyota Yaris bout, and just shading the Mitsubishi race by a second.

"It was a very close contest in the last round, but I just managed to stay ahead of Sebastien," he admitted later, "I felt very comfortable in all the cars, and was able to settle in quickly. It was enjoyable."

With five drives confirmed with the Ford World Rally Team next season, Duval revealed that he had loved every minute of his maiden Race of Champions event.

"It is a really special atmosphere here," he explained, "I have enjoyed every minute of the racing and a fantastic crowd. It's been a real honour to be part of such a prestigious occasion."

Loeb, who will be contesting seven events with Citroen in the 2002 WRC season, admitted that his rival had simply been the better man on the day.

"Duval drove well here today," he said, "He was consistently quick, but I am looking forward to more battles with him next year when we both step up into the World Rally Championship."

Duval was unbeaten throughout the Junior event, winning all three of his heats against Loeb, current World GpN champion Gabriel Pozzo and four times Portuguese GpN champion Miguel Campos.

als er nu nog iemand niet geloofd dat hij een natuurtalent is zullen we dat er is in hameren