Motorsport: Hirvonen wins Swedish Rally

KARLSTAD - Finland's Mikko Hirvonen of Finland won the Swedish Rally on Sunday, 42.3 seconds ahead of world champion Sebastien Loeb of France.

Loeb won the 17th stage Sunday in his Citroen, 0.2 seconds ahead of Hirvonen, but gave up his two-day duel with the Finn halfway through the 18th stage, finishing 7.3 seconds behind.

The Frenchman told reporters he stopped attacking after the 18th stage with the aim to secure second place.

Hirvonen won the 19th stage but finished second behind Ford teammate Jari-Matti Latvala of Finland in the 20th and 21st stages.

Latvala finished third in the Swedish Rally, 1:15.4 behind Hirvonen.

- AP