Ogier clinches victory in Greece

Athens, June 20 (bdnews24.com/Reuters) ? Frenchman Sebastien Ogier won the Acropolis Rally for the first time on Sunday following an thrilling duel with Citroen team mate and overall leader Sebastian Loeb on the race's final day.

Ogier began proceedings just 2.2 seconds behind his compatriot in the overall classification and the two Citroen DS3 drivers reached the mid-morning service in Loutraki east of the capital separated by a mere tenth of a second.

The 27-year-old then built up a 10.5-second advantage over Loeb heading into the event-closing Power Stage which he maintained after both drivers posted almost identical times in a dramatic finish. Title rival Mikko Hirvonen finished third in his Ford Fiesta.

"It was a very good rally for me," said Ogier, who bagged three bonus points for his Power Stage victory. "At the beginning it was difficult to find the rhythm but yesterday in the second loop we drove fast, we pushed hard and now we have a great result."

Ogier's victory ended Loeb's run of victories in this year's world championship, following the seven-time champion's triumphs in the previous two rounds in Argentina and Italy.

It is the third time that the 27-year-old, whose last win came in Jordan two months ago, and co-driver Julien Ingrassia have triumphed and as a result Citroen have now won the last six rounds of the series.

Loeb retains the overall leadership with 146 Points. Hirvonen lies second just 17 points behind while Ogier is third a further five points adrift.

"It's been a great battle," Loeb told reporters. "It was frustrating not to win because I think we were the fastest in the rally. We were first on the road for two days and second on one day so we had a disadvantage."

After securing the overnight lead, Loeb was favourite to win his third race in succession but had to settle for second after a tense battle with Ogier.

Ogier led going into the final power stage, a four kms test using the start of Saturday's Nea Politia night stage and sections of two stages already ran in the morning resulting in a tricky, rock-strewn surface.

The Power Stage is a new concept this season and awards bonus points to the fastest three drivers.

The rally, one of the most gruelling tests in the championship with cockpit temperatures usually well in excess of 30 degrees Celsius, is returning to the calendar after a year's absence.

The seventh round of the championship marking the halfway stage of the season is the Rally of Finland from July 28-31.

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