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Loeb holds lead into final stages

Sebastien Loeb leads Marcus Gronholm by 2.9 seconds with four stages to go as the title rivals matched each other throughout the penultimate loop of the Rally New Zealand

After losing out to Loeb in the final stage of day two, Gronholm won this morning's first stage and retook the rally lead with an incredible 0.1 second margin over Loeb.

But the reigning champion struck back in SS13 and reclaimed first position - this time by just half a second.

It looked like the lead would change hands yet again through Whaanga Coast 1 as Gronholm set faster times at the opening splits of the 29.81 kilometre stage.

However Loeb had the advantage in the second half of the stage and completed it 2.4 seconds faster than Gronholm, stretching his lead to 2.9 seconds with just four stages to go.

The rally will be decided over a repeat run through this morning's three stages before a return to the Mystery Creek superspecial.

Mikko Hirvonen is now a minute and a half behind the lead battle in his comfortable third place, while fourth-placed Jari-Matti Latvala is coming under renewed pressure from Chris Atkinson.

"It's close, we're fighting," said Atkinson, who is now just 4.5 seconds behind the Finn "The car's working well in the slow sections, so we'll try and haul him back."

Atkinson's teammate Petter Solberg is also gaining ground this morning, and has closed to within 14 seconds of sixth-placed Dani Sordo.

"The car is faster than yesterday, no question," said Solberg. "It's definitely better."

Urmo Aava is still on course for eighth place, while Henning Solberg passed Stobart Ford teammate Matthew Wilson for ninth in Whaanga Coast.

Pos  Driver     Make        Time
 1.  Loeb       Citroen     3h 19:03.3
 2.  Gronholm   Ford          +    2.9
 3.  Hirvonen   Ford          + 1:32.9
 4.  Latvala    Ford          + 2:22.7
 5.  Atkinson   Subaru        + 2:27.2
 6.  Sordo      Citroen       + 3:29.4
 7.  P Solberg  Subaru        + 3:43.7
 8.  Aava       Mitsubishi    + 8:29.8
 9.  H Solberg  Ford          + 9:29.4
10.  Wilson     Ford          + 9:36.1

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