Loeb eases closer to seventh Monte Carlo title

World champion Sebastien Loeb eased closer to a seventh Monte Carlo Rally victory on Friday when he opened a lead of 1min 47sec over fellow-Frenchman Sebastien Ogier. Nine-time world champion Loeb has led the season-opener since the second stage in his Citroen and with only five stages to be raced in and around Monaco on Saturday, Ogier looks likely to settle for second place in the debut-making Volkswagen. Loeb is only racing four events in the 2013 championship, but that hasn't dented his competitive edge, which was illustrated by rounding off Friday's action with the fastest time through the closing stage. From : AFP