Second in Europe sees Elfyn retake lead in title chase

ELFYN EVANS reclaimed the lead in the World Rally Championship drivers' standings after finishing second at the Central European Rally and the Welshman crossing the finish line was enough for his Toyota team to secure the manufacturers' crown with two rounds still remaining.

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Teammate Kalle Rovanperä claimed a valuable victory in the battle for the drivers' title.

The Finn was embroiled in an incredibly close fight for the lead with teammates Sébastien Ogier and Vincent Landais through the first half of the event, which took place over varied asphalt roads across Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria.

Rovanperä took the lead on Saturday morning's first stage before Ogier hit trouble in the following test, sliding wide into a tree after he lost pressure in his front-left tyre.

From there, Rovanperä controlled his advantage, ultimately taking victory by 43.7 seconds.

Dolgellau's Evans was similarly involved in a close battle with another championship contender - Ott Tänak of Hyundai - and this went down to the wire.