Story highlights
World champion Sebastien Loeb extends his Monte Carlo Rally advantage
The Frenchman lies 1:37 clear of Dani Sordo after Thursday's six stages
Citroen driver Loeb is aiming to win the race for the sixth time in his career
World champion Sebastien Loeb extended his advantage in the Monte Carlo Rally on Thursday after another once again outclassing his rivals for victory.
The Frenchman – bidding for a sixth victory in the race – claimed five of the six stages to move over a minute-and-a-half ahead of nearest challenger Dani Sordo, with Petter Solberg in third place.
“Today was easier than yesterday, more like a normal tarmac rally but it was still tricky because it was very muddy in places,” Citreon driver Loeb told the official World Rally Championship website.
“I was feeling good so I tried to push. I don’t know what will happen tomorrow, so with the conditions suiting me today I tried to take everything I can.”
Mini driver Sordo is one minute and 37 seconds behind in second place, while the Ford of Solberg is a mere three seconds adrift in third, after the Swede and Spaniard Sordo swapped positions throughout the course of an intriguing day.
Finland’s Mikko Hirvonen is fourth in the second Citroen, with Russian Evgeny Novikov just six seconds further back in his M-Sport Fiesta.
However, the rally is over for Sebastien Ogier, who was lying in sixth place when his Skoda crashed 5km from the finish of the final stage.
Thankfully the Frenchman, and co-driver Julien Ingrassia, escaped uninjured from the accident.
