Stage 3 – The Al-Attiyah-Baumel replica in Andalusia

David Castera, the organizer of this Rally of Andalusia 2021, made things clear during the briefing. This third stage, planned over 315 km around Alcala de Guadaira, would put the crews to the test in the summer heat (33 degrees).

“We call it the Marathon in the organization because it covers almost 300 km in one go, only broken up by a refreshment point. Like competitors can find on a Dakar. » It is therefore not surprising that the ranking for this Saturday, May 15 is similar to a stage of the most famous rally-raid!

Left with the responsibility of opening the track due to the scratch time achieved the day before, Carlos Sainz et Lucas Cruz (Mini) ont vite laissé Nasser Al-Attiyah et Mathieu Baumel (Toyota) remonter en haut des classements des temps intermédiaires.

The Qatari and his French co-driver, authors of an almost abnormal third time given their start to the Andalusian course (success in the Super special and the first two stages), did honor to their status as title holders. They return to the bivouac with a lead increased to 4'43'' over the Spanish duo before the final stage.

The special could well have smiled on a third thief. Vaidotas Zala, associated with Paulo Fiuza on a Mini 4×4, held the best time at Way-Point 4. Unfortunately, the Lithuanian in the blue and green livery disappeared from the front, the fault of a generator belt recalcitrant. Here he fell to seventh place overall.

Generous in his driving style, Yazeed Al-Rajhi (Toyota) continues to fight to make up for a deficit suffered during the first difficulties of the event. The Saudi, helped by Dirk Von Zitzewitz, failed in second place of the day, and climbed onto the provisional general podium (+9'37''), despite a power steering failure in the last km. 

The two newcomers to the category, Mattias Ekström (Mini JCW Buggy) and Laia Sanz (Mini All 4 Racing), continue to progress. The double champion DTM, sailed by Emil Bergkvist, competed with the specialists in the discipline to record the fourth time (+7'02''). Not bad for what is only his second outing on a rally after the Dakar in T3!

As for the Spaniard, associated with Nani Roma's usual co-driver, Daniel Oliveras, she is gradually making up for her lack of experience on four wheels. The former trial and enduro champion enters the top 10 one day before the final finish.

As for the T3s, that is to say the modified SSVs, the fight within the Red Bull Off-Road Junior Team once again turns to the advantage of beginner Guillaume de Mévius. The Belgian, along with Tom Colsoul, is a little closer to a first success in the category for his first start aboard the Overdrive OT3, his teammate Cristina Gutiérrez finding herself behind by 11'02''.

PROVISIONAL FINISH STAGE 3 – T3

1. G. De Mévius
2. Mr. Guthrie +1'55''
3. C. Gutiérrez +4'55''
4. S. Quintero +7'45''
5. L. Baud +9'17''

Andalucía Rally / Charly Lopez#AndaluciaRally #Long liveAndalucia @viveandalucia pic.twitter.com/JPlRJOcD7R

— Andalucía Rally (@Andalucia_Rally) May 15, 2021

On Sunday, the fourth special will bring the caravan back to the Coripe sector, location of the second stage. The timed sector will be 284 km long, with an arrival in Villamartin.

Stage classification:

General ranking after Stage 3: