Loeb Claims Easy Win in Sardinia

Frenchman Loeb went into the race in Sardinia a point behind Norwegian Solberg but, after moving in front on Saturday, he comfortably defended his advantage in Sunday's third leg.

Subaru's Solberg finished second with Peugeot's Finnish driver Marcus Gronholm taking third place.

Loeb won Sunday's opening stage, the 12-kilometre San Giacomo, a narrow and tricky route which saw Mitsubishi's Italian driver Gigi Galli eliminated with a broken gearbox.

That win all but tied up victory for Citroen driver Loeb, and he was able to defend his advantage despite failing to win in any of the final four legs.

A determined Solberg won the Bortigiadas and San Bachisio legs but still went into the final stage, back at San Giacomo, trailing Loeb by one minute 21 seconds.

Despite the victory for the Norwegian as Loeb held back, there was never any chance for him to make up the huge time difference.

Rally Italia Sardinia - Final Results

Pos Driver/Co-Driver       Team                           Time
 1. Loeb/Elena             Citroen Total             4:06:33.7
 2. Solberg/Mills          Subaru World Rally Team    + 0:59.6
 3. Gronholm/Rautiainen    Marlboro Peugeot Total     + 3:07.3
 4. Martin/Park            Marlboro Peugeot Total     + 4:12.3
 5. Gardemeister/Honkanen  BP Ford World Rally Team   + 8:29.3
 6. Kresta/Mozny           BP Ford World Rally Team   + 9:29.2
 7. Warmbold/Orr           BP Ford World Rally Team   + 9:59.8
 8. Pykaelisto/Ovaskainen  OMV Rally Team             +10:21.2
 9. Stohl/Minor            Citroen Xsara WRC          +10:35.6
10. Higgins/Agnew          Eddie Stobart Motorsport   +12:21.1
11. Duval/Prevot           Citroen Total              +13:29.8
12. Sarrazin/Giraudet      Subaru World Rally Team    +15:04.4