Nasser Al Attiyah Wins Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

Nasser Al Attiyah

Qatar's Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah secured his fifth Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge title, winning the final stage to claim a second consecutive victory and his first FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) win.

Al Attiyah and his French navigator Edouard Boulanger stayed clear of trouble on a dramatic final day of the 34th Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge to secure a crucial 2min 28sec victory in their bid to defend their W2RC titles.

On a last stage where several of his closest rivals in the top 10 hit trouble, Al Attiyah claimed the stage win in his Dacia Sandrider to also win the Ultimate category. He was able to fend off the challenge from the Toyota Gazoo Racing crews of Lucas Moraes/Armand Monleon and Seth Quintero/Dennis Zenz to earn his fifth victory at the desert event to follow previous successes in 2008, 2016, 2021 and 2024. The result marked Boulanger's third triumph after his win with Al Attiyah last year and his maiden victory with Stephane Peterhansel in 2022.

The final start list featured 48 vehicles in the FIA section, with 21 competing in the Ultimate category, 14 in Challenger and 13 in SSV.

(QNA)