Gronholm in hospital after crash

World Rally Championship leader Marcus Gronholm is out of the Rally Ireland after being taken to hospital following a crash on stage four in Sligo.

The event website says an ambulance was called to retrieve the two-time world champion, "effectively stopping the stage for the remaining competitors."

Ford driver Gronholm, who leads Sebastien Loeb by four points in the standings, won Thursday's first stage.

After four stages Dani Sordo is the leader, with Loeb 2.2 seconds behind.

"He (Gronholm) left by ambulance because he was not feeling very well," a Ford team spokesman said.

Gronholm won Thursday's 1.82km opening super-special stage at Stormont in a time of one minute 30.80seconds, with Citroen driver and defending champion Loeb second in 1:31.70.

Northern Ireland driver Kris Meeke was third with a time of 1:31.80.

A crowd of 11,500 packed into the Stormont grounds to watch the opening showpiece.

The cross-border event comprises 20 stages over three days.

Loeb, from France, is seeking his fourth consecutive world title.

Source: BBC Sport