LONDON // Frenchman Sebastien Loeb claimed a record sixth successive world rally title today.
The 35-year-old Citroen driver, who last year surpassed Finnish great Tommi Makinen's four championships in a row, made it six on the trot by winning the title-deciding British round in Cardiff.
Finn Mikko Hirvonen of the BP Ford Abu Dhabi team led Loeb by a single point going into the race, with Citroen having already wrapped up the manufacturers' crown in Spain this month.
"I'm really happy for this one because Mikko is strong," Loeb told World Rally Championship radio. "It was an incredible battle all season.
"A sixth title is awesome. Today was tough mentally as Mikko gave everything. It's been a season of highs and lows ... and it's a huge moment. The battle was so intense."
Hirvonen, who had to make do with second place in the race and the overall standings, said: "I need to go back to work and try to find more speed for next year.
"It was definitely the best year I've ever had but a big disappointment in the end. All I can do is try again next year."
* Reuters
Miss Granny
Director: Joyce Bernal
Starring: Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim, Nova Villa
3/5
(Tagalog with Eng/Ar subtitles)
Wallabies
Updated team: 15-Israel Folau, 14-Dane Haylett-Petty, 13-Reece Hodge, 12-Matt Toomua, 11-Marika Koroibete, 10-Kurtley Beale, 9-Will Genia, 8-Pete Samu, 7-Michael Hooper (captain), 6-Lukhan Tui, 5-Adam Coleman, 4-Rory Arnold, 3-Allan Alaalatoa, 2-Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1-Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16-Folau Faingaa, 17-Tom Robertson, 18-Taniela Tupou, 19-Izack Rodda, 20-Ned Hanigan, 21-Joe Powell, 22-Bernard Foley, 23-Jack Maddocks.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: SmartCrowd
Started: 2018
Founder: Siddiq Farid and Musfique Ahmed
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech / PropTech
Initial investment: $650,000
Current number of staff: 35
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Various institutional investors and notable angel investors (500 MENA, Shurooq, Mada, Seedstar, Tricap)
Scores in brief:
Day 1
New Zealand (1st innings) 153 all out (66.3 overs) - Williamson 63, Nicholls 28, Yasir 3-54, Haris 2-11, Abbas 2-13, Hasan 2-38
Pakistan (1st innings) 59-2 (23 overs)
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