Mikkelsen IRC champion

Andreas Mikkelsen has become the youngest driver to win the Intercontinental Rally Challenge title after winning a drama-filled Cyprus Rally in his ŠKODA UK Motorsport Fabia Super 2000.

Mikkelsen, who is 22 years and 136 days old, had to win the mixed-surface rally to claim the title in what started as a five-way battle for the crown.

Subject to final confirmation Mikkelsen becomes IRC champion for 2011 by one and a half points over Jan Kopecký.

Despite a scare when he suffered a right-rear puncture on stage nine, Mikkelsen avoided further drama to clinch the title alongside co-driver and fellow Norwegian Ola Fløene.

SS11: Mikkelsen wins stage and rally

Andreas Mikkelsen made sure of Cyprus Rally victory and the Intercontinental Rally Challenge title by winning the final stage of the mixed-surface event, which was shown live on Eurosport.

Driving a ŠKODA UK Motorsport Fabia Super 2000 Mikkelsen completed the 19.15-kilometre stage 4.1s faster than outgoing IRC champion Juho Hänninen.

A suspected misfire dropped Freddy Loix to fifth behind Karl Kruuda.

Toshi Arai and Jean-Michel Raoux captured the IRC Production Cup and IRC 2WD Cup respectively.