MONACO (AFP) - World champion Sebastien Loeb bagged a record fifth win in the Monte Carlo Rally on Sunday, seeing off Finnish Ford Focus rival Mikko Hirvonen by 2min 34sec.
Australian Chris Atkinson came in third in his Subaru Impreza, 2min 58sec off the pace, as home favourite Loeb, in a Citroen, stormed to victory following 360km of racing and 19 special stages over four days.
Loeb, picking off his 37th career triumph - also an overall record - in this the first leg of the 2008 world championship, allowed Atkinson and Belgian Francois Duval to take the plaudits over the final stage, a 2.7km ride through Monte Carlo port.
"More than the fact that this was our 37th WRC victory and our fifth Monte win, I think the most significant thing is the way we won this year," said Loeb.
"Our Citroen C4 performed faultlessly throughout and the set-up we chose for the start proved excellent. The C4 and the Pirelli tyres also functioned well together on these asphalt stages which were often damp.
"It's always nice to start the season with a win, but I have no intention of getting carried away because there are some very difficult rallies to come."
Atkinson and Duval posted similar times to allow the Aussie to poach a place on the podium. But it was four-time world champion Loeb who dominated as he picked off 10 specials in all.
The final special was slightly marred when a man was injured after falling from the spectator enclosure when Zimbabwean competitor Conrad Rautenbach slammed into a wall.
Hirvonen's compatriot Toni Gardemeister was forced to retire in his Suzuki when his engine overheated in the 14th special.
Hirvonen will look to get on terms with Loeb in two weeks time when the competition moves on to the snow and ice of Sweden.
"Second is a great result for me and a perfect start to the season," said the 27-year-old Finn.
"I've never had a good rally here so to take a podium is fantastic and it almost feels as good as a win. I started the season how I wanted to with a good result.
"I didn't know what to expect from this rally but my plan for the year is to finish second if I can't win a rally. When I moved into second I eased off because I was under no pressure from behind."
