Loeb's first-day performance set up his victory

Sebastien Loeb became the first driver in history to rack up 50 wins in World Rally Championships as he took victory in the Cyprus Rally.

The five-time world champion won five out of six stages on the opening day to open up a lead of 41.8 seconds.

The Citroen driver entered the final day with a lead of 49.8 secs and ended up winning by 27.2 secs to clinch his third straight win this season.

Ford's Mikko Hirvonen was second with Petter Solberg third in a Citroen.

The Frenchman was delighted to have made history with a victory that extended his championship lead over Hirvonen to eight points.

"It's incredible. I remember when I beat the record number of wins of Carlos Sainz and Colin McRae," said Loeb.

"Now 50 is a really big number, a nice number. I'm really happy with what we are achieving at the moment, but it's not finished, I'm not stopping yet Next I'm going for 51."

Britain's Matthew Wilson finished fifth in his Stobart Ford Focus after Sebastien Ogier crashed less than a kilometre from the end of the final stage.

Cyprus Rally result:

1 S Loeb (Fr) Citroen 4hrs 50mins 34.700 secs
2 M Hirvonen (Fin) Ford +27.200 secs
3 P Solberg (Nor) Citroen 01:49.400
4 D Sordo (Spn) Citroen 02:26.300
5 M Wilson (GB) Ford 06:41.000
6 C Rautenbach (Zim) Citroen 11:11.900
7 F Villagra (Arg) Ford 13:18.500
8 K Al Qassimi (UAE) Ford 13:44.100
9 P Sandell (Swe) Skoda 19:36.600
10 A Araujo (Por) Mitsubishi 19:54.900

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