BERLIN (Reuters) - Four-times world champion Sebastien Loeb dominated the opening stages of the Rally of Germany before a crash involving Gigi Galli brought an early end to Friday's racing.

Frenchman Loeb set the fastest time in his Citroen in the first four stages through the Mosel vineyards and was also ahead in the fifth when Galli left the road, forcing organisers to abandon the stage.

The Italian was given medical treatment in his car before being taken to hospital for checks.

The sixth stage was then called off after organisers said too many spectators were near the roadside.

Loeb, chasing his seventh successive Rally of Germany title, was 19.9 seconds ahead of Finn Mikko Hirvonen's Ford but officials have yet to announce the times that will be used going into Saturday's second day.

Spain's Daniel Sordo was third in his Citroen, 25.6 seconds off the pace.

(Writing by Mark Ledsom in Berne, editing by Tony Jimenez)