Subaru's Mads Ostberg gave himself a boost ahead of Rally Sardinia by winning the fourth round of the Norwegian Rally Championship in Sorland.

He was more than a minute ahead of Andreas Mikkelsen in the first gravel rally for the season.

With his Subaru Impreza, Ostberg led the rally from the second stage on Friday night until the end of the rally on Saturday afternoon. He was 1 minute 18 seconds ahead of his major competitor, Andreas Mikkelsen.

Mikkelsen struggled with his pace notes and was not comfortable in the Rally Sorland in the south of Norway.

Anders Grondal was third in his Subaru Impreza. The Swedish Junior World Champion, Patrik Sandell, was fourth in a Skoda Fabia WRC.

After his win, Ostberg are Mikkelsen and Ostberg are level on points. They have both won two rounds, and they both have a second and a third place as well in the four rounds.

Both of the young Norwegians will drive the Rally d'Italia Sardegna. Ostberg will also drive the Acropolis Rally of Greece before the next round in the Norwegian Championship the 7th of June.

Rally Sorland

1. Mads Ostberg/Ole Kr. Unnerud, Subaru Impreza WRC, 1 h 20 min 2,6s

2. Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Floene, Ford Focus WRC, +1 min 18,3

3. Anders Grondal/Maria Andersson, Subaru Impreza WRC, +2.08,7

4. Patrik Sandell/Emil Axelsson, Skoda Fabia WRC, +3.08,8

5. Martin Stenshorne/Ove Johnny Andersen, Mitsubishi, Lancer, +4.14,5

6. Sveinung Bieltvedt/Roger Eilertsen, Subaru Impreza (Gr.N), +5.15,2

7. Thomas Kvam/Stian Johnsen, Ford Focus WRC, +7.00,7

8. Svein Frustol/Knut H. Hofstad, Ford Focus WRC, +9.29,7

9. Kenneth Johnsrod/Veronica Engan, Mitsubishi Lancer (Gr.N), +9.43,6

10. Axel Skotvedt Sunding/Christian Foss Knutsen, Mitsubishi Lancer (Gr.N), +9.55,7

Standings in the championship

1. Andreas Mikkelsen, 101 points

1. Mads Ostberg, 101

3. Anders Grondal, 82

4. Christian Andresen, 33

5. Morten Ostberg, 31

6. Tord Linnerud, 30

Rally Live / Eurosport