OLBIA, Italy (AFP) - Four-time world champion Sebastien Loeb defied a double Ford Focus charge on Saturday to maintain the lead after the second day of the Rally of Sardinia.

French Citroen driver Loeb leads by just under 30 seconds from world championship leader Mikko Hirvonen and his Ford teammate Jari-Matti Latvala who are level in second place.

Latvala's was the performance of the day.

After starting the day in seventh place, 90secs off the lead, the Finn, who won in Sweden earlier in the season, swept all of the day's six stages to steadily eat into Loeb's advantage.

"I attacked really strongly. I couldn't go much quicker than that. II was at the maximum all day," said Latvala.

Loeb, who began the race five points behind Hirvonen after crashing out in Jordan in the last round, said he was content with his performance especially as he had started first and was therefore 'cleaning' the track for his rivals who followed.

"I attacked just as I did on the first day but you are penalised when you are first on the road."

The impressive speed of the two Ford drivers meant Loeb's Citroen teammate Dani Sordo was steadily relegated down the field and finished the day in fifth place.

"The feeling was not so good," said Sordo. "I didn't have great confidence in the car. The road was more slippery than yesterday and there's not a lot of grip. Latvala was going at an incredible speed."

Ford also benefited from the improving Pirelli tyres which have become stronger and more resistant.

"I couldn't go as quick as Jari-Matti today," said Hirvonen. "He was fantastic but I can assure you that on Sunday I will be chasing victory just like him."