AWorld Victory for Dacia in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge
Just a month ago, Dacia narrowly missed the podium in a thrilling rally, with Nasser Al-Attiyah, the ‘Prince of the Dunes,’ coming within just a few minutes of securing a top-three finish. Undeterred, the team swiftly regrouped and returned with renewed vigor to the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, the second round of the FIA and FIM Cross Country Rally World Championship. With a target of victory firmly in mind, Al-Attiyah, who has triumphed in this rally four times before, declared, “Our goal is to win; it would be great to do it with Dacia.” His determination paid off as the entire Dacia team celebrated a hard-earned victory one week later. The iconic image of Al-Attiyah and his co-driver Edouard Boulanger celebrating atop the Dacia Sandriders is a fitting memento for the team, capturing the spirit of their triumph.
The Final Rush: A Tense and Competitive Race
The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, founded by the current FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem in 1991, is a five-stage, 1,920km event that demands both skill and endurance from its participants. The final leg of the rally was particularly intense, with just 41 seconds separating Al-Attiyah from his closest competitors, Lucas Moraes and Armand Monleon, driving a Toyota Hilux from the Gazoo Racing team. Al-Attiyah’s strategy was to attack from the start, securing a crucial prologue win that allowed him to determine his starting position for the first stage. However, it was the marathon stage that proved pivotal. “We built up a margin during the marathon stage and used it to secure our victory,” Al-Attiyah explained. Despite the need to remain aggressive on the final 167km timed section, Al-Attiyah’s strategic approach paid off, securing his and Dacia’s victory.
Celebrating the Team’s Hard Work
The victory was a collective effort, with the entire Dacia team coming together to celebrate their triumph. Al-Attiyah’s embrace with his team manager, Tiphanie Isnard, and Alpine’s Motorsport head, Bruno Famin, as well as technical director Philip Dunabin and the mechanics and engineers, was a testament to the team’s unity and dedication. Al-Attiyah expressed his gratitude, saying, “I’m happy for the team, and I feel bad for Seb [Loeb], who was forced to retire on the fourth stage on his birthday.” The ‘Prince of the Dunes’ is known for his competitive spirit and his deep connection to the sport, and this victory in Abu Dhabi further cements his legacy.
The Competitive Spirit of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge
The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is a rally that perfectly suits Al-Attiyah’s style. “I really enjoy this rally,” he said. “The special stages are gruelling and require a lot of concentration because the dunes in this area are particularly unpredictable.” Brazilian Moraes, who finished just 2m28s behind Al-Attiyah, shared his reflections on the race. “We aimed higher, but I’m satisfied. We gave it our all,” he said, adding that the race provided a valuable lesson in perseverance. American Seth Quintero, another Toyota Gazoo Racing driver, completed the podium. “I’ve learned to go slower and plan the race better,” he reflected, highlighting the importance of strategic planning in such challenging conditions.
The Championship Standings: A Tight Race at the Top
The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge has reshaped the championship standings. Al-Attiyah, now the leader with 91 points, is closely followed by Yazeed Al-Rajhi, who has 72 points. Moraes and Quintero have made significant gains, moving up to third and fourth with 59 and 57 points, respectively. Toyota has tightened its hold on the manufacturers’ championship with 221 points, while Dacia and Ford M-Sport lag behind with 153 and 137 points, respectively. The fifth stage also saw a historic moment with Dania Akeel claiming her first win in the W2RC category, marking the first victory by a woman in the world championship since its launch in 2022.
The Bike Category: KTM’s Dominance and Strategic Racing
In the bike category, KTM’s Daniel Sanders, known as the fastest beekeeper on the planet, secured a double victory in Abu Dhabi, following his win in the neighboring rally last month. Sanders, who also won the Morocco Rally, emphasized the importance of intelligent racing. “The desert demands respect. It’s important to know when to push and when to slow down,” he said. Despite the increased media attention, Sanders maintains his humble lifestyle, selling apples and honey in the Victoria region of Australia. Monster Energy Honda’s Ricky Brabec, who finished second, praised KTM’s strategic approach. “The terrain was very tricky, so it was crucial to know when to attack and when to slow down,” he said. The third place went to his team-mate, Tosha Schareina, who commented on the unique challenges posed by the Abu Dhabi desert. With the withdrawal of defending champion Ross Branch due to a mechanical issue, Hero Motorsports’ Ignacio “Nacho” Cornejo kept the team’s flag flying high, finishing in sixth place.
