Rovanpera claimed a ninth career WRC victory in Portugal and his first of the season after dominating the rough gravel rally to defeat Hyundai’s Sordo by 54.7s.
The triumph was the reigning world champion’s first win since sealing the 2022 title at Rally New Zealand last October.
After converting a difficult road position into 10.8s lead at the end of Friday, Rovanpera won five of seven stages on Saturday, including a stunning effort on stage nine where he was 12.8s faster than anyone else.
Sordo admitted that he felt helpless at times during the crucial phase of the rally.
“You feel like you're driving an R5 car, in a different category,” said Sordo when asked for this thoughts upon seeing the time.
“We know he drives very well and has a big talent. He already did it last year.
“We know he can always go a little bit more and he can go ‘ciao bang’ [and there is the time].”
Sordo’s Hyundai team-mate Esapekka Lappi, who finished third overall, added: “When I finished the stage it left like, as I said in the interview on the stage, horrible with no grip.
“The time was pretty okay at that moment – and then he came and I said to my co-driver it felt horrible and that was the truth.
Source: Autosport