Ogier only managed one stage victory on the second day of the rally Saturday but leads with a total time of 2 hours, 50 minutes, 48.1 seconds after 13 stages. Loeb gained 24 seconds on Ogier to sit 21.1 seconds behind, while Petter Solberg was 52.2 seconds back in third.

The final five stages are held Sunday.

Ogier, who drives for Citroen, managed to hold his lead throughout the day despite having to navigate loose surface gravel.

"We try to push all day. It was difficult but we didn't lose a lot of time being first on the road," Ogier said, adding that it will be a challenge to hold off Loeb on Sunday.

Ogier was poised for his first victory this month when he led the Rally of New Zealand but was edged by Ford's Jari-Matti Latvala on the final stage.

Loeb is looking for his 58th career victory, but said it's more likely that Ogier will finally claim his first.

"I have to push tomorrow but the gap is big and he is going very well," Loeb said. "We are only second on the road tomorrow so it won't be easy to make a difference. He was running very well but at the same time saving nicely his tires. I was too cautious for the tires and lost too much time." Solberg managed to move up to third on Saturday, passing Spanish driver Dani Sordo who had to slow the pace after his tires wore down. Sordo remains in fourth.