Al Attiyah extends his lead in Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

Partnered by co-driver Mathieu Baumel in a Toyota Hilux, al-Attiyah won the 333.43-km second stage in a time of 4 fours 33:09 seconds. Poland’s Jakub Przygonski, accompanied by his German navigator Timo Gottschalk, came in second place with a time of 4:36:16 hours in a Mini John Cooper Works Buggy.In third was Argentinian driver Lucio Alvarez with Spanish navigator Armand Monleon in a time of 4.42.51 hours, while Saudi driver Yazid al-Rajhi and his British navigator Michael Orr came in fourth with a time of 4.50.52 hours, in two more Toyotas.Al-Attiyah leads the overall standings after the second stage with a total time of 7.55.16 hours, followed by Przygonski with a time of 8.01.23 hours. Alvarez is third with a total time of 8.12.09 hours.While this may look comfortable, al-Attiyah knows from previous experience that a lapse in concentration can blow a much bigger advantage in this event.The 2008 and 2016 champion admitted at the finish: “It was not an easy day because we took more than four hours driving through the desert. But it was a good experience and we learnt a lot. We are excited about the next three days, and we hope to do our best to stay at the top.”The Qatari added: "The competition was strong and the track was difficult and needed focus and a person with full experience in navigation and I thank navigator Mathieu Baumel who made a great effort. We did our duty and widened the difference between us and the closest competitors and this gives us great comfort.” Botswana’s Ross Branch, the overnight bikes leader, saw his victory hopes damaged virtually beyond repair, while new FIM cross country rallies champion Matthias Walkner lifted his prospects of a first Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge win.Branch suffered a heavy crash on his Yamaha 10km from the end of yesterday’s stage. He is still in fourth place, five minutes 36 secs from new leader Walkner, but said: “With so much damage to the bike, I think the rally is over for me. I’m so glad to be in one piece.”Adrien Van Beveren on another Yamaha took the stage honours on the day, but second fastest was enough to give Austrian KTM star Walkner a 2 mins 38.8 secs advantage over the Frenchman.Finishing the day fifth overall, American Austin Jones and Brazlilian Gustavo Gugelmin in a CAN-AM Maverick lead the FIA T4 category which has five cars in the top ten.Russia’s Pavel Lebedev and Kirill Shubin in a CAN-AM Maverick now lead the FIA T3 category while the Czech Republic’s Martin Prokop and Viktor Chytka in a Ford Raptor RS Cross Country have a huge advantage in the class for 2022 specification cars. Argentinian Manuel Andujar has a big lead over the UAE’s Abdulaziz Ahli in the quads, while Roy Bartov and Guy Biton in a CAN-AM Maverick X3 still set the pace in the FIM SSV 3 category.Leading positions after Stage 2 1. Nasser al-Attiyah / Mathieu Baumel (QAT/ AND) / Toyota Hilux; Time: 7:55:16.0; 2. Jakub Przygonski / Timo Gottschalk (POL / DEU) / Mini John Cooper Works Buggy; 8:01:23.0; 3. Lucio Alvarez / Armand Monleon (ARG / SPA) / Toyota Hilux Overdrive; 8:12:09.0; 4. Yazeed al-Rajhi/ Michael Orr (SAU / GBR) / Toyota Hilux Overdrive; 8:20:56.0; 5. Austin Jones / Gustavo Gugelmin (USA / BRA) / BRP CAN-AM Maverick; 8:36:55.0; 6. Marek Goczal / Lukasz LASKAWIEC (POL / POL) / BRP CAN-AM Maverick; 8:39:17.0; 7. Eugenio Amos / Paolo Ceci (ITA / ITA) / BRP CAN-AM Maverick; 8:39:53.0; 8. Mansour al-Helei / Abdulla Dakhan (ARE / ARE) / BRP CAN-AM Maverick; 8:47:36.0; 9. Denis Krotov / Konstantin Zhiltsov (RUS / RUS) / Mini John Cooper Works Buggy; 8:48:56.0; 10. Kees Koolen / Mirjam Pol (NLD / NLD) 8:54:27.0