Motorsport: Loeb's second wins him title again

French driver Sebastien Loeb successfully defended his world rally championship title after finishing second in the Rally of Japan behind Marcus Gronholm yesterday.

The Citroen driver needed a podium finish in the 13th of the 16 rounds of the championship to ensure he became the fourth man to win back-to-back titles.

He joins Finns Juha Kankkunen (1986-1987) and Tommi Makinen (1996-1999) and Italian Massimo Biasion (1988-1989) in retaining the title.

Loeb's eight rally wins so far this season is already a record, breaking his own mark of six victories on his way to the title last year.