Al-Attiyah wins Dakar Rally for second time

Nasser al-Attiyah  kissing his trophy as he celebrates on podium after winning the seventh South American edition of the Dakar Rally 2015, after the last stage in Buenos Aires yesterday.Qatari driver Nasser al-Attiyah yesterday won the Dakar Rally for the second time following 2011. The 44-year-old finished third at the wheel of a Mini of the X-raid team on the last stage to Buenos Aires to secure the title with a lead of more than 35 minutes over Giniel de Villiers of South Africa. HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani congratulated al-Attiyah on winning the title.Al-Attiyah expressed his thanks and gratitude to HH the Emir for the continuous support of sports and athletes, the official Qatar News Agency (QNA) said.The final stage of the off-road rally, shortened to 34km because of heavy rain, was won by American Robby Gordon in a Hummer. Spain’s defending champion Marc Coma (KTM) won the motorcycle title for a fifth time, finishing some 17 minutes up on Paulo Goncalves of Portugal.“The key was to remain in front each day, and that wasn’t easy,” said al-Attiyah.  “We had to work day after day, but we did a great job with Mathieu (Baumel, his co-driver). I reckon experience helped in this second title, and training,” he added.Coma, for his part, said he was “proud and happy” of his fifth Dakar victory. “To talk about a sixth title next year is still too early, I want to first of all enjoy this fifth win.” HE the Minister of Youth and Sports Salah bin Ghanim al-Ali said that al-Attiyah’s win in the Dakar Rally was the latest addition to Qatari achievements in the sports field. The Minister congratulated al-Attiyah on the win and said that the ministry would continue its support to all “distinguished” Qatari athletes. He also thanked HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud al-Thani for the continued support of Qatari athletes.  Al-Ali added that al-Attiyah’s achievement was proof that Qatari people were capable of making great achievements in all sports.