Ogier’s victory was the third of the season and arrived 12 months after losing to Tanak 0.2 seconds after a final stage puncture at this event.
He also had a fright at the end of Sunday, when an outdated in the final kilometers cut his leadership over the Estonian from 17.2s to 7.9.
“In the grooves, I just couldn’t turn around,” said Ogier.
“There was no speed, so I didn’t try to force him and hit him, I would rather stop and reverse.
“Yes, it’s not ideal, yet it was enough to win.”
Evans once again found the gravel roads difficult on the opening day, as he did in Portugal last month.
He never challenged the overall victory and also lost time among the first three when he pierced on Saturday 11, although ironically he won a place in fourth place with Toyota teammate Sami Pajari, taking even longer about a change of wheel.
Josh Mcerlean’s Italy rally ended almost before starting. He was one of six drivers caught by the newly produced Telti – Calangianus – Berchidda Loop, tearing all the left rear corner of his M -Sport Ford Puma at stage two.
The driver of Northern Ireland was forced to retire with damage to suspension before restarting, out of dispute, on Saturday and ending in the 11th in the classroom.
It remains 10th overall.
Drivers face similar conditions in the seven round of the 14 event series, with more gravel stages in Acropolis Rally Greece from June 26 to 29.
