Qatar's Nasser Al Attiyah Wins Third Stage of Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

Abu Dhabi, November 10 (QNA) - Qatar's Nasser Al Attiyah consolidated his lead in the general classification of the 30th edition of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, after he won the third stage out of the first three stages of the rally. The penultimate round of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies got underway on Sunday with the first of five long desert stages. In the opening 265-kilometre section Al Attiyah and Mathieu Baumel marked down their intentions, winning the stage by three minutes. Monday provided a tough day for the contenders as they headed deep into the Rub Al Khali desert for the longest section of the event. Again, the Qatari/French pairing extended their lead with another fastest time after more than four and a half hours of competitive driving over 318 kilometers. Today, Al Attiyah who is in pursuit of a third Desert Challenge victory again topped the standings with the duo extending their lead to 11 minutes and 18 seconds with two legs remaining. Al Attiyah said after completing the third stage, which was 293 km in length: "I am very happy with the course of the day, good navigation and great sand dunes. Today we pressed a little more than usual, every day we increased the pressure, and everything went perfectly." Przygonski and Gottschalk have been impressive from the outset in the MINI John Cooper Works Buggy. The Polish/German crew have been hot on Al Attiyahs heels, finishing second in the first two sections and third today, suffering from a lack of grip. Alvarez and Monleon have been equally consistent and never outside the top three on any of the sections. They are 21 minutes and 33 seconds adrift of the lead but pushing hard to maintain their provisional podium position. Two selective sections and 414 kilometers of desert stages remain on Wednesday and Thursday, prior to the finish at Yas Marina. (QNA)