Ogier posts first win by edging out Loeb in Portugal

LISBON (Reuters) - French driver Sebastien Ogier survived a final-day attack from compatriot Sebastien Loeb to post his first world championship win at the Rally of Portugal on Sunday.

Six-times world champion Loeb, who heads the championship standings, went into the third day 21.1 seconds behind Ogier and was on the attack straight away, winning the day's four gravel stages, to go into the final Algarve Stadium stage just under eight seconds behind.

But Ogier held on, edging Loeb by 0.1 seconds in the two-kilometre tarmac stage to claim his maiden win with a margin of 7.9 seconds.

The 26-year-old Citroen driver had narrowly missed out on a win in New Zealand earlier in May, his lead vanishing with a spin just three corners from the finish and he was naturally overjoyed to make amends for that disappointment.

"It's a fantastic feeling and I am very, very happy," Ogier told the World Rally Championship website (www.wrc.com).

"It has not been easy with Sebastien (Loeb) behind me, pushing all the time, but we also pushed hard and made no mistakes," he added.

Loeb said his compatriot's win signalled the arrival of added competition.

"I tried (throughout) all the rally to beat him but he was just too fast ... I have a new rival now," he said.

Ogier has jumped from fourth to second in the championship standings on 88 points, 38 behind Loeb.

Spain's Dani Sordo made it an all-Citroen podium by taking advantage of Petter Solberg's steering fault to grab third place.

The Norwegian dropped another spot when he hit a water barrier in the final stage, allowing Finn Mikko Hirvonen to finish fourth.

(Reporting by Shrikesh Laxmidas; Editing by Dave Thompson)