Loeb wins fifth Monte Carlo rally

World champion Sebastien Loeb bagged a record fifth win in the Monte Carlo Rally on Sunday, seeing off Finnish Ford Focus rival Mikko Hirvonen by 2min 34sec.
Australian Chris Atkinson came in third in his Subaru Impreza, 2min 58sec off the pace, as home favorite Loeb, in a Citroen, stormed to victory following 360km of racing and 19 special stages over four days.

Loeb, picking off his 37th career triumph – also an overall record – in this the first leg of the 2008 world championship, allowed Atkinson and Belgian Francois Duval to take the plaudits over the final stage, a 2.7km ride through Monte Carlo port.

"More than the fact that this was our 37th WRC victory and our fifth Monte win, I think the most significant thing is the way we won this year," said Loeb.

"Our Citroen C4 performed faultlessly throughout and the set-up we chose for the start proved excellent. The C4 and the Pirelli tires also functioned well together on these asphalt stages which were often damp.

"It's always nice to start the season with a win, but I have no intention of getting carried away because there are some very difficult rallies to come."

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