By Graham Wood
ATHENS, May 27 (Reuters) – Sebastien Loeb produced a
faultless display on the final day of the Rally of Greece to win
the event for the third time after main rival Petter Solberg
crashed out.
The French world champion began the day in his Citroen DS3
WRC with a 10.2 seconds advantage over Solberg but after his
Norwegian rival crashed on the opening test of Sunday’s five
stages, Loeb finished 40 seconds ahead of team mate Mikko
Hirvonen with an overall time of 4:42:03.3 over the four days.
The victory came despite a late scare, when Loeb and
co-driver Daniel Elena had to stop to change a puncture on stage
20.
It was Loeb’s fourth victory in six rallies in this season’s
championship and by claiming three bonus points for winning the
event-closing Power Stage, he increased his lead over Finland’s
Hirvonen in the overall standings to 30 points.
“This rally was so long and difficult,” Loeb said after his
71st career rally triumph.
“We had some fortune in the morning, but in general we had
to fight really hard. It was really good. I tried to always keep
my rhythm and do what I felt.”
Solberg’s misfortune – he tore a rear wheel off his car
after hitting a tree – allowed Hirvonen to move into second spot
with Jari-Matti Latvala securing the final podium place in
third, the Finn marking his return from a broken collarbone in
style by claiming 10 fastest stage times.
“I am happy with the result, after Friday I didn’t have so
much to do except just try not to make mistakes and bring the
car back safely,” said Hirvonen.
“It’s a very good result for the team, they have done a
fantastic job with the car. I believe I can be faster than
this.”
