Seb looks fine for title No 9

SEBASTIEN LOEB started his bid for an incredible ninth world rally championship by winning the Monte Carlo classic. The sport's eight-time supremo called the famous event "my rally" after spraying the victor's champagne. And no one was arguing with the Citroen superstar. Things could have turned out so differently, however, had Ford's team leader Jari-Matti Latvala kept his car on the road. He used a smart tyre choice in changeable weather on Day One of the rally to power into a half-minute lead - only to roll his Fiesta out of contention. That left Loeb with a relatively straightforward run. The fleet Frenchman said: "It's always a great moment to start the season like this especially in front of so many fans. "Full points in the first rally is incredible and for sure it's the perfect start. "But Monte Carlo is my rally and for the others we will have to see." Despite his win there were signs Loeb will not have it all his own way this year. Dani Sordo put in another fantastic drive for Mini to finish second in a rally the marque famously dominated in the 1960s. Ex-world champ Petter Solberg marked his return to a works team with a solid third for Ford. And after a cautious start, Loeb's new team-mate Mikko Hirvonen took a string of stage wins to rocket up to fourth, despite a spin. Latvala was joined on the retirement list by Loeb's 2011 nemesis Sebastien Ogier. Now with Volkswagen ready for a championship charge in 2013, Ogier shot up to a remarkable fourth overall in a VW-run Skoda Fabia from the second-tier S2000 class. But his giant-killing act ended with a massive crash that left co-driver Julien Ingrassia with arm injuries. THE SUN .