Evans took the lead following the retirement of Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) on Saturday morning on the road exit. He didn't let it go, managing his lead over Tänak (M-Sport/Ford) who finished 2nd at 27 seconds.
The driver, born in Dolgellau (Wales), won his 34th WRC rally at the age of 6 and the first since Finland in 2021. He tied for first place with Ogier leading the championship with 69 points.
Ogier, although well started, could not do better than 5th in the rally, one of the "freelances" he is doing this year for Toyota. The French eight-time WRC world champion does not take part in all the events this year but has already won the Monte Carlo in January and the Rally Mexico in March.
After suffering two punctures on the first day of the rally on Friday, Ogier then received penalties that dropped him to 7th place. He then engaged in a great duel with the reigning world champion, the Finn Kalle Rovanperä, also 4th on Toyota, but without hope of getting on the podium. "It wasn't our weekend," said Ogier, somewhat disappointed.
Ogier and Rovanperä are the drivers who have won the most stages on this rally (7 for the Frenchman, 6 for the Finn) but they had to lose to the consistency of Evans.
Elfyn Evans takes off with his Toyoto GR Yaris during a special stage of Rally Croatia between Kostanjevac and Petrus Vrhduring. © -/AFP
In accordance with WRC regulations, Neuville was able to leave on Sunday morning with a repaired car to allow him to score additional points in the championship during the final stage of the "power stage".
He won it, collecting 5 more points in a very tight championship where he is now 5th with 58 points behind Ogier, Evans, Tänak and Rovanperä, the five drivers standing on 11 points.
Tribute to Craig Breen
Rally Croatia was mourned before the start by the death of Hyundai team driver Craig Breen. The 33-year-old Irishman was killed instantly during practice on the rally course a week before the start when a wooden pole from a fence entered the passenger compartment during a road exit. The Hyundai of Neuville and Lappi were decorated for the rally in the colors of the Irish flag in tribute to their teammate.
Belgian driver Thierry Neuville and his co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe during a special stage of Rally Croatia on their Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid. © -/AFP
Evans paid tribute to him after his victory, saying: "It seems so insignificant at the moment. We have worked a long time to get to this point but it is surprising how futile it seems at the moment. We think about our friend, that's all we can think about at the finish line."
The next round is Rally Portugal from 11 to 14 May.
© 2023 AFP