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TRIER - World champion Sebastien Loeb of France has become the driver to beat at next week's motor Rally of New Zealand after he extended his perfect record in the German round on Sunday.
Loeb held a lead of 38 seconds after the first two days and the Citroen driver had no need to take risks as he completed his sixth successive victory in the race dating back to 2002.
There was more good news for Loeb as world championship leader Marcus Gronholm, under pressure from a resurgent Francois Duval on the final stage, went off the road and damaged the rear of his Ford Focus.
The mistake saw the Finn slip to fourth overall.
Belgium's Duval claimed second spot, 20.3 seconds back from Loeb, and Finland's Mikko Hirvonen was third.
The result saw Loeb, the triple world champion, cut Gronholm's lead at the top of the world championship standings from 13 points to eight, with six rounds to go.
"I have to say thanks to Francois Duval because he was pushing incredibly hard," Loeb told reporters.
While Loeb was able to cruise home to victory, Duval celebrated his return to the series by winning all five stages on the final day.
The first four of those wins were enough to cut the gap behind second-placed Gronholm to just 5.6 seconds.
With Duval pressing ever harder, Gronholm's mistake on the final stage cost him 80 seconds and all hope of a podium finish.
- REUTERS
