Hirvonen wins Rally of Italy

Finland's Mikko Hirvonen, driving a Citroen, won the Rally of Italy in Sardinia on Sunday ahead of Russia's Evgeny Novikov and Estonia's Ott Tanak, both in Ford Fiestas. Citroen's Sebastien Loeb, who claimed his ninth successive world drivers title on home ground in France a fortnight ago, crashed out of the race during Friday's third special stage. The 31-year-old Hirvonen secures his first victory this season and first as a Citroen driver, but the 15th of his career. It also guarantees him second place in the overall drivers' standings behind teammate Loeb for the fourth time ahead of the final round in Spain next month.