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• Frenchman tops podium in Algarve with stunning victory
• 'I have a new rival now,' admits reigning champion

Sébastien Ogier fended off the challenge of the reigning champion Sébastien Loeb to claim his first World Rally Championship success in Portugal today.

The 26-year-old Frenchman confirmed his status as the fastest rising talent of the rally circuit as he beat home his more experienced compatriot by 7.9 seconds.

Ogier still had plenty of work to do despite heading into the final day with a 21.1sec advantage over Loeb, who pressed his rival after going quicker through the opening four stages. But Ogier stood firm, after leading at the end of the previous two days, to clinch his breakthrough success on the final all-tarmac head-to-head stage.

Dani Sordo ensured a clean sweep for Citroën as he took third place, albeit more than a minute further back.

Mikko Hirvonen was the best of the Ford drivers as he profited on a late mistake from Petter Solberg to claim fourth.

Solberg, who crashed out late at the Rally of New Zealand this month, made another untimely error when he drove into a barrier metres from the line on the final stage and dropped into fifth place.

After failing to chase down Ogier today Loeb, the six-time champion, admitted he could have a new rival to challenge his recent dominance.

"I tried all the rally to beat him but he was just too fast," Loeb told the World Rally Championship website. "On the second pass through the stages he was untouchable. I have a new rival now."

Ogier was delighted with his breakthrough victory. The Frenchman held a 7.7sec lead going into the final stage and, while he needed only to ensure he safely negotiated his way around the superspecial through the Estadio Algarve, he outpaced Loeb by 0.02sec to finish on a high.

"It's a fantastic feeling and I am very, very happy," he said. "It has not been easy with Sébastien behind me, pushing me all the time, but we also pushed hard for all of the rally and made no mistakes."

Ogier's co-driver, Julien Ingrassia, said: "It's a special feeling. I have worked so hard preparing to get to this level and to achieve this win is a big moment for me."RallyingMotor sport
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Sébastien Ogier holds off Sébastien Loeb to clinch Portugal Rally win was originally published by Sport: Motor sport | guardian.co.uk. Read the full story by clicking here.