Evans edges out Katsuta to win Swedish rally / Photo: Jonathan NACKSTRAND - AFP
Evans edges out Katsuta to win Swedish rally
Elfyn Evans scraped home in the snow to claim the Rally of Sweden on Sunday, the Welsh driver fending off a late challenge from his Toyota teammate Takamoto Katsuta.
Hyundai's defending world champion Thierry Neuville completed the podium in this second round of the season.
Evans, who won in Sweden in 2020, had a fight on his hands with Katsuta claiming Sunday's first stage. But the 2024 championship runner-up rattled off wins in the next two for his 10th career win on the WRC circuit.
Evans finished a mere 3.8 seconds ahead of Katsuta, with Neuville at 11.9sec.
Evans moved to the top of the fledgling drivers' standings on 61 points, with Sebastien Ogier, winner of the season-opener in Monaco but skipping Sweden, in second on 33pts.
"It's been a very good weekend but I made life very difficult for myself on that first stage this morning," said Evans.
"At least it focused the mind.
"Championship-wise it's been a very good start. Obviously it's very early days but I don't think you could wish for much better than this," added Evans, who came in second in Monte Carlo.
Kenya stages the third of 14 rallies next month.
P.Renard--JdB
