Latvala's tough task

Jari-Matti Latvala will star today's final stages in New Zealand from first place.

HAMILTON // Jari-Matti Latvala moved into the lead of Rally New Zealand heading into today's final day after Mikko Hirvonen and Sebastien Loeb eased off the power during yesterday's penultimate leg. The BP Ford Abu Dhabi driver climbed from third to first as teammate Hirvonen and the world champion Loeb backed off to avoid being first on the road for today's stages.

Hirvonen sits second and will start the final leg 9.3 secs behind, while Loeb is 13.3 secs off the leader in his Citroen, both well placed to usurp Latvala in the final stages today. Latvala, who won his maiden WRC event in Sweden at the start of the year, believes he can drive around the problem of being the first to tackle the loose gravel surfaces during the decisive stages. "I was expecting to be third after today, but in the end we made a team decision to push for the lead," said Latvala.

"Of course winning would be great - it's been six months since Sweden - but I think everything will be open until the last minute." Hirvonen started the second day in the lead by 27 secs, but that advantage was eroded by Loeb as the Finn cleared the loose gravel on the road. The Frenchman hit the front late in the day and took a four-second lead in the penultimate stage before backing off to allow the Ford pair through.

"There was so much loose gravel that we lost traction in all the acceleration and braking points," said Hirvonen. "I didn't have any plan - I just had to wait and see what everybody else did. "But we came through, we are still second and the difference between the first three cars is not so big at all. "My road position is OK - maybe Loeb's is better, but I think it is going to be a good fight." Loeb admitted he was reluctant to back off yesterday, but insisted that while the rules stipulate the race leader must be first on track, the tactic of easing off will remain a necessary evil.

"I didn't want to slow down, for me it's not good for the sport, but what can we do? We have regulations like this." he said. "My job is to win, so I try to do my best to win.We thought that Ford might move Latvala ahead, so it wasn't a surprise. "But now the places are very close and anything is possible. I'll just do my best to finish first." Loeb's teammate Dani Sordo sits in fourth place, just 15.7 seconds behind Latvala.

* PA Sport