Hirvonen victory puts him back on top

AMMAN, Jordan — Finn Mikko Hirvonen returned to first place in the world standings by winning the Rally of Jordan, the fifth of the 15-race world rally championship series.

The 27-year-old Ford Focus driver finished one minute 15 seconds ahead of the Citroen C4 of overnight leader Dani Sordo of Spain.

It is the fifth victory for Hirvonen after wins in Australia in 2006 and Norway, Japan and Britain in 2007. However, it was his first this season.

Australia’s Chris Atkinson finished third in his Subaru Impreza, his fourth podium in five races this season.

World champion Sebastien Loeb’s chances of winning the event were effectively ended after a head-on collision on the 11th stage on Saturday.

Frenchman Loeb started Sunday in 20th position but managed to finish the race in 10th place. However, the result means he slips into second in the overall standings.

Elsewhere, Norway’s Henning Solberg was fourth, with Britain’s Matthew Wilson in fifth and Argentine Federico Villagra claiming sixth. E-mail to a friend

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