Al Attiyah Grabs Lead in Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

Abu Dhabi, March 31 (QNA) - Qatar's Nasser Al Attiyah grabbed the lead in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge powered by Nissan on Monday. Partnered by French co-driver Mathieu Baumel in a Mini All4 Racing, Al Attiyah won the 279-kilometre Adnoc Special Stage 2 by seven minutes, 16 seconds from Russias defending champion, Vladimir Vasilyev, in another Mini, to grab a four mins, 13 secs overall advantage. With Dutchman Erik Van Loon climbing three places to third, UAE local hero Yahya Al Helei, the overnight leader, was seventh fastest on the day to finish the leg in fourth place overall alongside Emirati co-driver Khalid Al Kendi in his Nissan Pick-up. After his stunning stage win 24 hours earlier, Al Helei kept pace with Al Attiyah and Vasilyev before losing time when forced to stop to repair a broken rear roll bar. Just 34 seconds further away in fifth was fellow-UAE driver Shaikh Khalid Al Qasimi in a Toyota Hilux, with Argentinas Orlando Terranova completing the top six in another Mini. (QNA)