In an event characterised by changing weather conditions during the early qualifying rounds, the Audi S1 driver cruised home to a relatively easy victory in the six-lap final on Sunday, ahead of new MJP Racing Team Austria recruit Timo Scheider (Ford Fiesta), and Hoonigan Racing's Andreas Bakkerud (Ford Focus).

Starting from pole after winning the earlier second semi-final round, the EKS RX team principal lead away from start ahead of former DTM rival Scheider, who secured first place in four qualifying rounds, as second place starter Johan Kristofferson stalled his PSRX Sweden Volkswagen Polo seconds after the red lights went out.

Although able to get going again, the Swede found himself dead last and despite recovering quickly, became embroiled in a fight with new teammate and former double RX World Champion Petter Solberg, Team Peugeot Hansen lead driver Timmy Hansen and Bakkerud.

With both Ekström and Scheider starting to runaway out front, the two Volkswagen drivers were the first to opt for the mandatory joker lap at the end of the first lap, while Hansen's decision to do the same at the end of second, resulted in a spectacular overtake of Kristofferson as he rejoined the normal circuit behind Solberg.

It was however Bakkerud who produced the overtake of the event when managed to drive around the outside of Solberg at the beginning of the fourth lap. Rejoining the main layout after taking the joker, the Norwegian succeeded in getting on the power quick enough to out drag his fellow countryman and 2003 World Rally Champion around the first the corner, to remain on the final step of the podium.

A thrilling battle ensued with the status quo however remaining unchanged even after both Ekström and Scheider completed their joker laps at the end of the fifth lap.

His win puts Ekström three points clear of Scheider in the championship with Bakkerrud a further five points back in third, and Kristofferson fourth on 21 points by virtue of his win in the first semi-finals.

The next round sees the World RX circus move to the Montalegre Circuit in Portugal on April 21st-22nd.

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IMAGE from EKS RX on twitter