A surprise win in Spain for Sebastien Loeb has thrown the World Rally Championship race wide open before the series finale in Coffs Harbour next month.

Nine-time world champion Loeb, making his final guest appearance of the season with Citroen Racing, claimed the Rally of Spain to return to the top of the podium for the first time in more than five years.

He edged out title holder Sebastien Ogier by just 2.9 seconds after the four-day, mixed surface event to deny the overall title contender maximum points in the penultimate round.

Second place was still enough for Ogier to regain the championship lead by three points from Thierry Neuville, who won the Australian leg last year.

Ott Tanak is a further 20 points back in third overall but is in the championship mix when driver take to the northern NSW roads from November 15-18.

“This is a dream scenario … Sebastien Loeb, the WRC’s greatest driver, has thrown a surprise into the title fight by denying the main contenders maximum points in Spain,” Rally Australia event chairman Ben Rainsford said.

“The most dramatic and unpredictable competition in world motorsport will now host an incredible showdown on the Coffs Coast.”

Loeb retired from full-time competition in 2012 and his last win came in Argentina in 2013.

“To win after almost six years is incredible but to do so in a battle like this, where you only discover after the finish line that you have won, is amazing,” Loeb said in an interview on the WRC’s website.

“Right now, given how the rally panned out, I’d be tempted to say it’s perhaps my greatest win.

“I never believed I would win again.”