Doha: Defending champion Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah clinched his third successive stage win while Stephane Peterhansel edged closer to a record seventh title triumph in the Rally on the penultimate day of day of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, yesterday.
Qatar’s Al Attiyah, who set off in search of his third cars triumph in the event, unfortunately ended up training by over 20 hours on the opening day after damaging the front right wheel of his Toyota Hilux. However, the four-time Dakar Rally champion proved his class by winning all three stages following the incident.
Al Attiayh and his French assistant Mathieu Baumel completed yesterday’s 243km Abu Dhabi Aviation Stage 4 in 03:08:22 ahead of nine-times World Rally champion Sebastien Loeb who was 3 mins 1 sec slower than the Qatari, his major rival in the tussle for the World Rally-Raid Championship title.
Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah and his navigator Mathieu Baumel pose for a photo with an official after receiving medals following their stage win, yesterday.
“I am quite happy with our performance and yes, it has been a good day for us. I don’t know about the overall classification. But I do know that every point will help us for the championship,” Al Attiyah said after yesterday’s win which put him in the sixth spot in the overall classification.
Peterhansel, in an Audi RS Q e-tron, increased his overall lead to 33 mins 21secs from the 2018 champion, Czech Martin Prokop, in a Ford Raptor, and needs only to avoid disaster on the last day to become the most successful driver in the event’s 31-year history.
“Today was not easy for us but we did good work to get here in good shape. Tomorrow we need to drive safe and be safe because we want to win, so we will do our best,” Peterhansel said yesterday.
Prokop commented: “I tried to enjoy the stage and the dunes - that is why we are here and taking part in this fantastic rally. Tomorrow, well the last stage is always with mixed feelings. I always enjoy going into Abu Dhabi, but it is a long stage so it is not easy.”
The fifth final stage of the rally will be held today as the drivers and riders head to the Yas Mers Circuit in Abu Dhabi, where the 31st edition of the event will come to a close.
