From the World Rally Championship

BP Ford Abu Dhabi Team drivers Jari-Matti Latvala and Mikko Hirvonen remain on course for a one-two finish on Rally d'Italia tomorrow, after holding their lead positions throughout today's competition and watching the challenge of their main rival fall away.

The anticipated threat to the Ford drivers from Sebastien Loeb came to an end on the day's penultimate stage, when the Frenchman had to stop to change a tyre and dropped back by one minute.

The battle between the Ford drivers looks set to be a classic, with each wanting to take victory. Latvala will carry a 9.9sec advantage over his team-mate into Sunday's short final day, but will have to cope with the disadvantage of running as first car through the five loose gravel stages.

Petter Solberg ended Saturday's competition third overall in his 2006 spec Citroen Xsara, 1min 02sec behind Hirvonen. But if the Norwegian is to hold the position to the end he'll have to keep Sebastien Loeb behind.

After a solid day in his C4 WRC, Citroen Junior Team driver Evgeny Novikov rounded off the top five places, 1min 31sec behind Loeb.