Loeb leads Rally of Spain

Salou - World champion Sebastien Loeb roared into the lead at the end of two days of racing at the season-closing Rally of Spain on Saturday as overnight leader Norway's Mads Ostberg tumbled to fifth.

The Citroen ace Loeb, who has already clinched the world title, won two of the day's three opening specials to take command of the field, and now enjoys a 27-second advantage over Ford's Finnish driver Jari-Matti Latvala in second.

Ostberg, also of Ford, will now have a struggle on Sunday to hold on to his overall world championships third place spot, under pressure from Latvala after a mistake in the eighth stage.