Latvala leapfrogs leaders in New Zealand

Ford driver Jari-Matti Latvala will start today's final stage of the Rally of New Zealand in first place after pacesetters Sebastien Loeb and Mikko Hirvonen both slowed down during yesterday's final stage.

Loeb, in a Citroen, and Ford's Hirvonen allowed Latvala to leapfrog into the lead, ensuring neither driver was first car away this morning on the gravel roads of New Zealand's North Island.

Finland's Latvala led countryman and team-mate Hirvonen by 9.3 seconds after the second day, with Loeb's Citroen a further four seconds back.

Hirvonen had started day two 27.8 seconds in front of Loeb but the Frenchman gradually whittled the lead away and finally got ahead on the penultimate stage.

Loeb, bidding to win five consecutive world rally titles, had planned to finish the second day 20 seconds in front of Hirvonen to counteract the effects of being first car away today.