Evans holds off Katsuta to win in Sweden

He was promised the worst as an opener, but Elfyn Evans played the game perfectly to win this Rally from Sweden at the end of a battle with Takamoto Katsuta which continued until the last kilometers.

Leading since the first specials on Friday, the Welshman was never able to rest. Because behind him, the rivals did not really take their foot off the gas, especially Katsuta. The Japanese was undoubtedly his strongest competitor throughout the weekend, constantly pushing him around, even stealing the lead in the general classification from him on a few occasions.

This Sunday morning, the Japanese believed he had done the hardest part in the Västervik special when he set the scratch time and took the lead while Elfyn Evans was struggling, saying he lacked confidence and speed. But the assistance before SS17 did the Welshman a world of good, who came back reinvigorated to do the double job in turn. A scratch time and the resumption of first place during SS17.

With a 3" lead over Takamoto Katsuta, Elfyn Evans did not tremble during the Power Stage, won by a tenth ahead of his teammate and tough rival of the weekend to do the double! A relief for the one who had to wait until the last round of the 7 season to claim victory. Thierry Neuville completed the podium at 11

In the championship, he did an excellent job since he pocketed 35 points (the highest possible total) and inevitably took the lead with a 28-point lead over Sébastien Ogier, absent this weekend in Sweden.

Among manufacturers, Toyota also distances itself from HyundaiThe Japanese team, with 120 points on the clock, now has a 48-point lead over its South Korean rival.

Power Stage ranking

Rally Sweden standings

The next round of the 2025 season of the WRC is scheduled for March 20-23 during the Kenya Rally.

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