Loeb Extends Lead Over Hirvonen In Norwegian Rally

Loeb took command from the start by topping all four of the morning stages before finishing in style by winning the final stage.

Five-time world champion Sebastien Loeb stretched his lead over Finn Mikko Hirvonen to 15 seconds after the second leg of the Norwegian Rally on Saturday.

The Frenchman began the day with a 2.6 seconds lead over Hirvonen and held the advantage throughout the day despite running first on the snowy roads in the morning stages.

Loeb, who won 11 of last season's 15 rallies, took command from the start by topping all four of the morning stages before finishing in style by winning the final stage, a 1.5 kilometres sprint through the Hamar town centre.

The Citroen driver, whose only win on snow was the 2004 Swedish Rally, still has his work cut out on Sunday however, as the event stages its longest leg, 126 kilometres in total. "It's been a good day," Loeb, who is chasing his sixth consecutive world championship title, said.

"It was perfect for me this morning. We have done all the best times... The road position made no difference, it's a really good fight."

Ford's Hirvonen, the winner of the only previous edition of the Norwegian Rally in 2007, was frustrated that Loeb continued to edge away no matter how hard he pushed.

"It's still game on, but I'm pushing so hard that it's so easy to make small mistakes and sometimes you can lose a little bit of time when you hit the snow bank," Hirvonen said.

"I can't go any faster. I'm absolutely on the limit. That's all we had...(But) It's not over. There's still a long day tomorrow."

Hirvonen's team mate and compatriot Jari-Matti Latvala lies 43.2 seconds off the pace in third.