Loeb cruising to victory in Spain

Citroen's world champion Sebastien Loeb was heading for his fourth successive victory in the Rally of Spain after ending yesterday's second leg 27.7 seconds clear of team-mate Dani Sordo.

The Frenchman, winner of all six stages on Friday, picked up where he left off with three wins in a row yesterday on the flowing asphalt roads near the eastern coastal city of Tarragona.

However, his run of domination ended when Ford's Mikko Hirvonen, Loeb's closest title rival but in fourth place overall in Spain, went faster on the 10th stage.

Belgian François Duval, who like the Finn is driving a works Ford, also won the 12th stage.

"The day has been almost perfect," Loeb said.

"Okay, I lost a little time in that one (the 12th and final stage of the day) but it was really tricky, there were stones everywhere. I didn't want to take any risks, make a mistake or have a puncture."

Spaniard Sordo remained in second place.

While Duval ended the day third, 51.4 seconds off the lead, he is not in the title reckoning and may have to give way to Hirvonen before today's finish to give the Finn a precious extra point.