Loeb makes good start to Italian job

WORLD RALLY champion Sebastien Loeb built an ominous lead on the opening day of Rally Italy in Sardinia as he set about re-stamping his authority over his rivals.

The Frenchman endured a forgettable Jordan Rally last time out when a freak collision with a rival car on an access road forced his retirement.

The four-time world title winner, who was on course to claim his fourth rally victory in the fifth event of the season in Jordan, was unable to register any points and relinquished his lead of the driver’s championships to BP Ford’s Mikko Hirvonen.