Sebastien Loeb secured his second win of the season as he extended his lead in the World Rally Championship with victory in Jordan.
The Frenchman had entered the final day holding a 24.6-second advantage over compatriot Sebastien Ogier and he was never troubled as he eventually took the 25 points with a 31.1 second margin over the chasing pack.
Ford's Jari-Matti Latvala was expected to be Loeb's main challenger on the final day. The Finn was 27.7 seconds adrift of the Citroen driver at the start of the day but would enjoy better road conditions due to his later running slot.
But that challenge never materialised and Latvala was forced to settle for second after Loeb extended his lead to 32.2 seconds over the opening two stages of the day.
The Blue Oval driver had earlier been promoted a place when Ogier was handed a 50-second penalty after he was late leaving the morning service station and this result means Latvala now lies second in the standings, 25 points behind Loeb.
Loeb was delighted with his win, which has moved him 31 points clear of his main title rival Mikko Hirvonen after the Finn crashed out of the event early on the second day.
Six-time world champion Loeb said: ‘It's been a good rally for us and with a 31-point lead over Mikko Hirvonen it means it has been a good start to the season.
‘I really had to go flat-out because Jari-Matti was going very fast and made me push to the limit all of the time.’
Latvala, celebrating his 25th birthday today, was satisfied with second place but disappointed not to have been able to take the fight to Loeb.
‘I am quite pleased with second but also a little disappointed we didn't have the pace to compete with Sebastien,’ he said.
Petter Solberg was an excellent third in his privately entered Citroen, with factory driver Dani Sordo taking a solid fourth place to help the French marque in the manufacturers' championship.
Britain's Matthew Wilson took his best finish of the season so far with fifth place, ahead of the unfortunate Ogier.
Argentina's Federico Villagra was seventh with former Ferrari Formula One driver Kimi Raikkonen claiming the maiden points of his first world championship campaign with eighth place.
Henning Solberg and Xavier Pons rounded out the points positions in ninth and 10th respectively.
