Luca Rossetti wants to put himself back top in the IRC on the Madeira Rally.

Peugeot Italy driver Luca Rossetti will be out to reclaim the advantage in the race for the 2008 Intercontinental Rally Challenge drivers' title on the Madeira Rally next week.

Rossetti, who won the opening two rallies of the IRC season in Turkey and Portugal, was forced to miss the most recent round in Russia due to clashing commitments and that allowed Nicolas Vouilloz to draw level, both now joint top with 26 points on the board.

"I'm feeling quite confident about Madeira," said Rosetti. "It's the first time that I have competed on this event, but I was there last year as a spectator. As long as there is nothing strange with the weather - which is always a possibility in Madeira - then it should present itself as a classic asphalt rally.

"My goal is going to be to score as many points as possible and hopefully come away in the lead of the championship."

Nonetheless, the Italian is not underestimating the task ahead of him: "At the moment

Nicolas [Vouilloz] is my strongest rival for the title, but I've got no doubt at all that Abarth will bounce back," he added.

"If you look at [Giandomenico] Basso last year, it's easy to see how strong he is. Another person who will definitely be quick is Bruno Magalhaes in the Peugeot Portugal car - so I will definitely have to fight hard."

Before then, there will be a big celebration in the Rossetti household as Luca is marrying his fiancee Renata in Italy this weekend.

"The honeymoon will have to wait until the end of the year," he joked. "Renata will come to Madeira, but it is probably not the same thing!"