Motorsport: Loeb earns third successive title

MADRID - Double world champion Sebastien Loeb has won the Rally of Catalunya and delivered Citroen their third consecutive manufacturers' title.

The Frenchman, who wrapped up the drivers' championship in Japan three weeks ago, continued his run of form to finish one minute and 19 seconds ahead of Belgian team mate Francois Duval.

Loeb won 10 of the 15 stages in tricky, changeable conditions to earn his 10th win of the season.

"The objective was always to win the manufacturers' title for Citroen and we've fulfilled it," said Loeb.

"This season has been so amazing. This weekend with two Citroens on the podium, and the title, is the climax to an unforgettable year.

"It's been the result of many circumstances: luck, a good car and good tyres." Citroen took an unassailable lead in the manufacturers' standings with one race left, after Peugeot's leading driver Marcus Gronholm was forced to retire.

The Finn kept the pressure on the top two until the end of the final stage on Saturday, when a damaged radiator prevented him from restarting on Sunday.

Gronholm's retirement also stopped him from overtaking Subaru's Petter Solberg in the drivers' championship fight for the runner-up slot.

Solberg crashed on Friday giving Gronholm a chance move above the Norwegian but, with neither scoring in Catalunya, they remain tied on 71 points and will fight it out in Australia for second place.

Mikko Hirvonen came third after recording the fastest times in stages 12 and 15, while Spain's Xavier Pons was fourth in another Citroen.

Ford's Roman Kresta finished fifth and Nicolas Bernardi was Peugeot's highest placed driver in sixth.

Ford's Toni Gardemeister crashed on Saturday and came off the track again on Sunday to finish 14th.

The last race of the year is in Australia, starting on November 10.

- REUTERS