World champion Sebastien Loeb hung on to win the rally of Sardinia yesterday and trim Mikko Hirvonen's overall lead to three points.

The Frenchman's triumph on the gravel roads of the Italian island was his 40th victory in the world rally championship.

Loeb, who led in his Citroen after Friday and Saturday's legs, edged Hirvonen by 10.6 seconds with the Finn's Ford team-mate and compatriot Jari-Matti Latvala coming in third.

Hirvonen now has 43 points to four-times champion Loeb's 40 in the overall standings with Australia's Chris Atkinson remaining in third place for Subaru despite a disappointing rally where he finished sixth.

Loeb had a 24.9 second lead heading into the final day but Hirvonen chipped away at the advantage by winning two stages yesterday with Loeb claiming one and Latvala taking the other two.

Loeb, criticised by rally officials recently for his "scruffy looks", said he had pulled out all the stops to win.

"It's been a difficult rally but we're here." Loeb told the official www.wrc.com website.

"I've had to push all the way for this result, but it was important for me to get good points here. Mikko will still lead the championship, but OK, I'm happy and of course win number 40 is nice for me."

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