Craig Breen is gearing up to make his debut for the Abu Dhabi Total World Rally Team at Rally Sweden [11-14 February] and his biggest chance yet to prove himself on the world stage.

The Irishman joined the Citroën-supported squad for the reconnaissance of last month's Rallye Monte-Carlo but will get his first taste of competition with them this week when he joins team-mates Kris Meeke and Khalid Al-Qassimi in a three car line-up.



The 2012 SWRC winner is a big fan of the Swedish stages and knows this is a golden opportunity to showcase his skills at a time when Citroën Racing is weighing up its driver options for 2017 and beyond.



“It’s a childhood dream come true. Being able to drive a car like this in the World Championship is such an important opportunity for the rest of my career. I would like to thank everyone that has made it possible for me to be here," said Breen.

Opportunity knocks: Breen (right) and co-driver Scott Martin

Sweden is a rally where Breen has gone well in the past. He secured two category podium finishes in Ford Fiesta Super 2000 cars in 2011 and 2012. Two years ago he scored points on his first competitive outing in a World Rally Car, finishing ninth in a Fiesta RS.



"While competing for the first time in Sweden in a World Rally Car I was able to see how hard it is to make the final step. Above all, it was the level of competitiveness among the drivers that most impressed me," he said.



"I now have to grab this chance and show that I deserve my place among the elite. My aim is to keep improving throughout the rally, not to push like crazy on the first stage. I have a lot to learn and I’ll have other opportunities to show my speed. If I finish in the top six, that would be a fantastic result.”





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