Las Palmas, Spain (AFP) — Two-time world champion Kalle Rovanpera eased to a dominant victory on the asphalt roads of the Rally Islas Canarias on Sunday, the fourth of 14 rounds of the WRC World Rally Championship.

The Finn won 15 of the 18 special stages, allowing himself to ease off on the final day to secure his first victory since the Rally of Chile last September.

He also won the final race, the Power Stage, on Sunday to score additional points in the championship.

Still just 24 years old, it was Rovanpera’s 16th WRC victory as he finished more than 53 seconds ahead of French driver Sebastien Ogier, with Toyota taking the top four places.

It marks an uptick in form after an indifferent start, which saw his best return a fourth-place in Monte Carlo.

“It wasn’t the best start to the season, but I’m very comfortable in these conditions and we’re back on top now,” said Rovanpera, who ran only a few events last season after winning back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023.

Welshman Elfyn Evans finished third to retain the lead in the world championship with 109 points, ahead of Rovanpera (66) and reigning world champion Thierry Neuville (59), who could do no better than seventh in his Hyundai.

Eight-time world champion Ogier, who has only competed in a few races, is fourth in the standings, thanks to his victory in the season-opening Monte Carlo Rally, the only other race he has participated in this season.