HAMAR, Norway – France's five-time world champion Sebastien Loeb won the Rally of Norway here on Sunday.

The French Citroen C4 ace - who was winning his 49th race in tandem with co-pilot Daniel Elena - won the second leg of the 12-race series ahead of Finnish driver Mikko Hirvonen and another Finn Jari-Matti Latvala was third.

Loeb had a lead of over seven seconds over Hirvonen going into the final special and had increased his overall lead to 9.8 seconds by the finish over the Finn, who finished runner-up to him last season.

"It was a marvellous rally and it is always really more exciting when you win after an intense battle like that," said Loeb.

"It was very difficult, mentally as well, because Mikko drove superbly.

"I had to attack from start to finish, I am really happy because it was a real challenge for me, on the snow," added Loeb, who was winning only his second winter rally on the snow.