Loeb takes crucial win in Spain

The reigning world champion led for the majority of the event, while his Citroen teammate Dani Sordo took vital points away from Gronholm by finishing second.

"This is important for the championship," said Loeb. "I hope we can do the same results on the Tarmac rallies to come, and then for the rest we will see."

Sordo was comfortably able to match Loeb's pace throughout the rally, and the Spaniard was happy with his performance on home soil.

"It's a big job (to beat Gronholm), so this is a very good day for me," said Sordo. "I am very happy with this rally."

Gronholm admitted that he will have to push for second place next time out in Corsica, which is another Tarmac rally.

"I lost 34 seconds in the wet on Friday," he said. "I was not confident to drive with the hard slick, I was too careful.

"Now we hope for better luck in Corsica. I was second there last year, and hopefully we can do the same, at least."

Mikko Hirvonen was satisfied with his fourth place finish, but the Finn was disappointed with the gap between himself and the leaders.

Behind him, Francois Duval said that he achieved the maximum that was possible with his Citroen Xsara by finishing fifth, while Petter Solberg is heading to Corsica in high spirits after treating day three as a test session.

"The car seems to be working better," said Solberg. "I'm sure the next rally will be better.

"We have some things in our pocket so I'm sure we can find something more. I'm pleased with this weekend, we have made a step forward."

Jari-Matti Latvala was happy to finish seventh on a surface where he lacks experience, while Chris Atkinson took the final point in eighth.

Xevi Pons had to settle for ninth in his home event, while Henning Solberg was pleased to get a full Tarmac rally under his belt by finishing 10th.

Pos  Driver      Car         Time 
 1.  Loeb        Citroen   3h22:50.5
 2.  Sordo       Citroen   +  13.8
 3.  Gronholm    Ford      +  39.8
 4.  Hirvonen    Ford      +  1:25.8
 5.  Duval       Citroen   +  2:28.7
 6.  Solberg     Subaru    +  2:54.1
 7.  Latvala     Ford      +  3:38.2
 8.  Atkinson    Subaru    +  4:22.4
 9.  Pons        Subaru    +  5:04.1
10.  Solberg     Ford      +  10:32.2