LOUTRAKI, Greece – World champion Sebastien Loeb has crashed out of the Acropolis Rally, spinning off the road during Saturday's first stage.

The Frenchman's Citroen C4 left the road eight kilometres from the start of the the 17.25km-Klenia Mycenae stage on a high speed sixth gear section.

The Citroen Total team has confirmed that Loeb and his co-driver Daniel Elena are okay.

Sources on the stage reported that the car was a long way from the road and is badly damaged. The C4 sustained a heavy impact on Loeb's side and is missing a wheel.