Abu Dhabi [UAE], February 28: Nasser Al Attiyah was crowned T1 stage winner of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (ADDC), which is being held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region.
Al Attiyah won the day's special stage, increasing his lead at the end by more than six minutes ahead of Yazeed Al Rajhi, who took the second place. It was a 100% Toyota podium, and now Nasser is ahead of his main rivals, Loeb and Chicherit, in the World Championship.
Al Attiyah commented, "We pushed from the beginning without any problems, but I don't really like my setup, so I will work on it for tomorrow. But okay, we're doing OK, but there's still a long way. We shave tarted well, and we'll try to keep going like this. I'm happy to come to the ADDC, a lot of dunes and really good skills from everybody."
The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge most usually lives up to its reputation as one of the world's most challenging and visually spectacular rallies, and on an opening day starting in Ghiyathi City with the finish line in Liwa, near Tal Mor'eb, competitors tackled a total distance of 404 kilometres including a Special Stage of 242 kilometres.
Nasser Mohammed Al Mansouri, Under-Secretary of the Ruler's Representative Court in Al Dhafra Region, said, "We are very pleased to be hosting the 2023 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in Al Dhafrah Region, and for the first time starting from Ghiyathi City to finish in Liwa, near Tal Mor'eb. It's a spectacular part of the world, and today it plays host to some of the world's best drivers and riders as they take on the ultimate challenge of traversing some of the most extreme desert landscape in the world. My humble thanks to all involved for creating a sporting spectacle that will thrill sports lovers around the world."
Emirates Motor Sports Organisation (EMSO) President and board member, Khalid Ben Sulayem, commented, "The Ghiyathi City to Liwa stage, provided some dramatic moments. We were sad to see championship leader Sebastian Loeb having technical problems, but this is the nature of extreme challenges. The towering dunes and shifting sands of the region are truly spectacular to look at, but as difficult as they are beautiful."
Source: Emirates News Agency