Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah and Chile’s Pablo Quintanilla close in on Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge title

While Finland’s Mikko Hirvonen won the 258-kilometre Adnoc Stage in a Mini All4Racing on Day 4, Al Attiyah was the second fastest in a Toyota Hilux and increased his overall lead to 28 minutes, 08 seconds.

Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah in action during Day 4 of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. Courtesy ADDC

Qatar's Nasser Al Attiyah continued his march towards a second cars triumph in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge on Wednesday as Chile's Pablo Quintanilla snatched a significant bikes advantage to carry into Thursday's final leg.

While Finland’s Mikko Hirvonen won the 258-kilometre Adnoc Stage alongside French co-driver Michel Perin in a Mini All4Racing, Al Attiyah and Mathieu Baumel were the second fastest in a Toyota Hilux as they increased their overall lead to 28 minutes, 08 seconds.

Lying second overnight and chasing a third successive Desert Challenge victory, Russia’s Vladimir Vasilyev and Konstantin Zhiltsov saw their hopes buried among the dunes of the Western Region of Al Gharbia when their Mini was halted by mechanical problems.

Their misfortune promoted Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al Rajhi and German co-driver Timo Gotschalk to second place in another Mini, 7 mins, 32 secs ahead of Hirvonen in third.

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Reaching the end of the Adnoc stage, Al Attiyah, who captured the Desert Challenge title in 2008, said: “It wasn’t easy at all. We did some of this stage yesterday but most was completely new. We didn’t take risks – we don’t want to make mistakes now. I’m really happy to finish and looking forward to tomorrow.”

Another Emirati driver, Ahmad Al Maqoodi, moved into the top 10 alongside Obaid Al Kitbe in their Polaris RZR to lead the buggies category. Among the day’s casualties was the all-female crew of Germany’s Jutta Kleinschmidt and Swede Tina Thorner, whose buggy broke its gearbox.

Quintanilla, who had led the bikes category at the end of the second leg, said at Wednesday’s finish: “It was really hot today, but it was still fun and I enjoyed the stage.”

In the battle of the bikes, French rider Pierre Alexandre Renet was the stage winner from Chilean Jose Ignacio Cornejo Florimo as he rose to fifth overall.

But fourth best time on the day was enough to make Quintanilla the clear favourite for victory on his Husqvarna as he took a 2 mins, 45 secs lead over this year’s Dakar Rally winner Toby Price, with the Australian’s KTM teammate, Dubai-based Sam Sunderland, just two seconds further back.

It was a good day for top Emirati rider Mohammed Al Balooshi who outpaced Quintanilla, Price and Sam Sunderland – three of the world’s biggest cross-country rallying talents – to stay in fourth place overall.

“I caught up with the top three and rode with them,” a delighted Al Balooshi said. “I’m in fourth overall and to be fourth after the factory guys is very good.

“As a small private team I get a lot of support and am so proud. It was tougher today with people having some strategy, but I ride by my own plans and I’m happy to be here and for tomorrow.

Thursday’s Abu Dhabi Aviation Stage 5, the final leg, is 234km and the drivers will finish at Yas Marina Circuit.

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge results (after Day 4)

CARS

1. Nasser Al-Attiyah / Mathieu Baumel (QAT / FRA) Toyota Hilux 14:36.32

2. Yazeed Al-Rajhi / Timo Gotschalk (KSA / DEU) Mini All4 Racing 15:04.40

3. Mikko Hirvonen / Michel Perin (FIN / FRA) Mini All4 Racing 15:12.12

4. Bryce Menzies / Andreas Schulz (USA / DEU) Mini All4 Racing 15:17.05

5. Jakub Przygonski / Tom Colsoul (POL / BEL) Mini All4 Racing 15:18.55

6. Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi / Khalid Al Kendi (ARE /ARE) Mini All4 Racing 15:43.32

7. Mathieu Serradori / Didier Haquette (FRA / FAR) Buggy 15:46.16

8. Mark Dabrowski / Jacek Czachor (POL / POL) 17:02.05

9. Yuriy Sazonov / Dmytro Tsyro (KAZ / RUS) 17:57.54

10. Ahmad Al Maqoodi / Obaid Al Kitbe (ARE /ARE) Polaris RZR 1000 T3 18:06.47

MOTORCYCLES

1. Pablo Quintanilla (CHL) Husqvarna 450 Rally Factory 1 15:27.22

2. Toby Price (AUS) KTM 450 Rally Factory 1 15:30.07

3. Sam Sunderland (GBR) KTM 450 Rally Factory 1 15:30.09

4. Mohammed Al Balooshi (ARE) KTM 450 Rally Replica 15:53.23

5. Pierre Alexandre Renet (FRA) 15:56.52

6. Jakub Piatek (POL) KTM 450 Rally Replica 1/4 16:09.41

7. Laia Sanz (ESP) KTM 450 Rally Factory 1/3 16:10.55

8. Jose Ignacio Cornejo Florimo (CHL) 16:17.54

9. David McBride (GBR) KTM 450 Rally Replica 1 16:26.56

10. Txomin Arana Cobeaga (ESP) Husqvarna 450 Rally Replica 1 16:56.44

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