ELFYN Evans celebrated a place on the podium with a second place finish at the Vodafone Rally de Portugal, the sixth round of the World Rally Championship (WRC).
The 29 year old from Dolgellau was joined by co-driver Dan Barritt in returning to the podium for the first time since last season’s Wales Rally GB triumph.
Evans has endured a frustrating start to the campaign with punctures in Monte Carlo and Sweden followed by an accident in Mexico before kick starting his season in France and Argentina.
Evans was delighted to return to the podium in Portugal with the M-Sport Ford Focus ace now looking ahead to the rest of the season with confidence.
“We had high expectations after ending last year in such a positive manner but our season hasn’t got off to the best of starts so I’m happy with this result and a bit relieved, too.
“Hopefully, this will turn the tide and be a sign of more positive things to come. It wasn’t perfec and I wasn’t entirely happy with my driving but it’s certainly alleviated the pressure.”
By finishing runner-up to series leader Thierry Neuville, Evans moved up to seventh in the championship ahead of the eagerly anticipated summer rounds in Sardinia, Finland, Germany and Turkey before arriving in the United Kingdom in early October to defend his Wales Rally GB title.
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