12 Nov 2010

Loeb starts well in Rally Wales

11:01 am on 12 November 2010

World champion Sebastien Loeb has won the opening superspecial stage of rally Wales in Cardiff Bay.

The Frenchman, who has already picked up his seventh consecutive world championship crown going into the season finale, was just under a second quicker than Citroen team-mate Sebastien Ogier as they tackled rainy and windy conditions.

Spain's Dani Sordo of Citroen Junior Team stood third with 2003 world champion Petter Solberg fourth as the French marque dominated the proceedings.

Ford's Jari-Matti Latvala was fifth and former Formula One driver Kimi Raikkonen sixth ahead of compatriot Mikko Hirvonen and home hope Matthew Wilson going into tonight's six stages around Builth Wells.