Citroen sweeps top four in Rally of Bulgaria

Reigning world champion Sebastien Loeb of France led Citroen to an historic top four in the inaugural Rally of Bulgaria in Borovets on Sunday.

Loeb, who topped the standings since Friday's opening session, beat teammates Spanish runner-up Dani Sordo, Norway's Petter Solberg and fellow countryman Sebastien Ogier on his favoured asphalt tarmac surface.

"A perfect rally," said Loeb. "Four Citroens on front, it's remarkable. I was pleasantly surprised. Since 2006 we haven't lost a rally on asphalt."

This was the first time that Citroen had filled the top four in a rally and the first time a constructor had dominated to such an extent since the start of the world rally championship in 1997.

Six-time champion Loeb was registering his fourth win out of seven events this season and extended his lead at the head of the 2010 drivers' standings with a 51-point advantage over Ogier.

Sunday's final four stages were dominated by the fight for second between Solberg and Sordo.

Solberg was quickest in stages 11 and 13 but that was not enough to overturn the 4.7 seconds overnight deficit on Sordo who took stage 12 with Ogier annexing stage 14.

This was Loeb's 58th career win and he accomplished it with a 29.5 seconds cushion over Sordo with Solberg 36.3 adrift in third.

Source: Xinhua