Evans settles for third place finish on Gran Canaria rally

But Welsh driver Elfyn extends his lead in World Rally Championship

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WORLD Rally Championship leader Elfyn Evans had to settle for third place on Rally Islas Canarias.

The fourth round of the championship was won by the Welshman’s Toyota Gazoo Racing team-mate Kalle Rovanpera, with Sebastien Ogier finishing second, to make it a podium clean sweep fot eh Japanese manufacturer.

The rally took place on the island of Gran Canaria and was making its debut in the FIA World Rally Championship. It was also the first pure asphalt round of the season.

Rovanpera led overall from start to finish and sealed the win by 53.5 seconds after also setting the best time in the rally-ending Power Stage and topping the Super Sunday classification to score a maximum of 35 points.

Ogier was Rovanpera's closest challenger throughout the weekend, as he and co-driver Vincent Landais made a strong return to action for the first time since their win at January's Rallye Monte-Carlo.