Loeb hangs on to win Rally of Italy

Citroen's Sebastien Loeb edged closer to the top of the World Rally drivers' standings after holding off a valiant fightback by BP Ford duo Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala to win the Rally of Italy.

The Frenchman took the victory last night by just 10.6 seconds from second-placed Hirvonen having been a minute up on his title rival at the end of Friday's first leg.