Al-Attiyah bets everything on the 9th stage

With a route of 9000 kilometers including 5000 kilometers of racing, the opportunities to win or lose the Dakar will be numerous. If the specifics of the route will constantly evolve, the ninth stage of the 2011 edition could benefit fans of the crossing. The route is not very long compared to the others (235 kilometer special with a 35 kilometer link) but it will include immense dunes, each more tricky than the other.

Nasser-Al Attiyah, who will be at the wheel of the new Volkswagen Race Touareg 3, intends to get ahead of his competitors on this demanding course. “Among all the stages, the route around Copiapo (Chile) will be one of the most difficult of the entire rally with a lot of sand,” announces the Volkswagen driver. “Just crossing the dunes should be particularly difficult to do. »

The Qatari's crossing skills will be essential here, on terrain where piloting errors will cause the crews to lose a lot of time. “Our prospects are good here because I have acquired my own technique for crossing the dunes in recent years,” adds the teammate of Carlos Sainz. “Above all, I want to keep my manufacturing secret. »

To optimize his preparation, Nasser-Al Attiyah spent time in the Qatar desert, to get used to the extreme conditions of these arid environments. ?It helps me relax and feel good in my head. This year, I spent four days in the desert to prepare myself mentally. One thing is clear: I am ready for the start of the Dakar. »

The start of the 2011 edition will be given on Sunday January 2 while the arrival is set for Saturday January 15. The ninth stage, of the 13 included in the event, will be contested on Tuesday January 11.