RALLYING: Solberg wins Monte Carlo opener in Toyota podium sweep

Sweden’s Oliver Solberg claimed victory at the Monte Carlo Rally on Sunday, giving Toyota a clean sweep with a one-two-three finish in the principality.

The 24-year-old, who is the son of Norway’s 2003 world champion Petter Solberg, also became the youngest winner of the event in the championship era.

Welsh teammate Elfyn Evans finished 51.8 seconds behind Solberg, while Sebastien Ogier— the reigning nine-time world champion and a 10-time Monte Carlo winner—finished third, another minute and 10 seconds back.

“This was the most difficult rally I’ve done in my life. It’s my first rally on tarmac in the car and here we are, winning the thing,” Solberg said.

-Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London; editing by Ed Osmond/Reuters