Gronholm ends Loeb’s winning streak in Athens

MARCUS GRONHOLM finally ended world champion Sebastien Loeb’s winning streak by completing a dominant win on the Acropolis Rally in Greece yesterday.

Loeb started the weekend looking for a sixth consecutive win to strengthen his already suffocating grip on a third world title but a blown tyre on Saturday ruined his chances. Ford driver Gronholm led from stage one and held off Loeb’s spirited challenge before his Citroen rival dropped off the pace.

Gronholm cruised through the final five stages yesterday, completing his third victory of the season in Athens’ Olympic Stadium with a winning margin of two minutes 26.8 seconds from Loeb. The Finn said: