Gronholm takes victory in Sweden

Gronholm's victory takes him to 16 points in the World Championship

Marcus Gronholm claimed victory in the Rally of Sweden to cut Sebastien Loeb's World Championship lead to two points.

The Finnish Ford Focus driver sealed his fifth win in the event after securing the final stage in a time of one minute 40.7 seconds.

The two-time world champion, who had been out in front since the second special stage on Friday, beat Frenchman Loeb's Citroen into second place.

Gronholm's fellow Finn and team-mate, Mikko Hirvonen, was third.

Gronholm made no major errors in terms of wheel choice or trajectory in his reliable Focus as he bagged his 26th victory in a world championship event.

He again showed he was at ease on the snowy and icy roads while Loeb saw his hopes of repeating his 2004 victory in Sweden disappear on Saturday because of a wrong choice of tyres.

The championship will see more treacherous winter driving as the Norwegian Rally makes its debut next weekend.

Gronholm said: "Norway is neutral ground, it's a bit different and no one knows what to expect there.

"But this win was good, really good.

"It's been a good week and a great battle with Seb.

"I know him well and realise it's difficult to get a good lead on him.

"After I got more than 20 seconds ahead of him on Saturday, it got easier."

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Rally of Sweden overall results

1 M Gronholm (Fin) Ford 3 hrs 8 mins 40.7 secs
2 S Loeb (Fr) Citroen at 53.8sec
3 M Hirvonen (Fin) Ford @ 1:41.5
4 H Solberg (Nor) Ford RS @ 2:09.8
5 D Carlsson (Swe) Citroen @ 3:37.8
6 T Gardemeister (Fin) Mitsubishi @ 3:54.2
7 M Stohl (Aut) Citroen @ 5:12.5
8 C Atkinson (Aus) Subaru @ 6:14.7
9 M Ostberg (Nor) Subaru @ 7:47.0
10 J Kopecky (Cze) Skoda @ 7:52.5

Latest world championship standings:

1 S Loeb (Fr) 18 points
2 M Gronholm (Fin) 16
3 M Hirvonen (Fin) 10
4 D Sordo (Sp) 8
5 C Atkinson (Aus) 6
6 T Gardemeister (Fin) 5
= H Solberg (Nor) 5
8 D Carlsson (Swe) 4
9 P Solberg (Nor) 3
10 M Stohl (Aut) 2
11 J Kopecky (Cze) 1