Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge – Peterhansel strikes first, Loeb and Al-Attiyah lose big

The good signs shown by the Audi RS Q e-tron were confirmed this Sunday during the first special of theAbu Dhabi Desert Challenge, theater of the 2^e round of the world championship Rally-Raid. Passed into the fold of the Ingolstadt firm, Stéphane Peterhansel and Edouard Boulanger demonstrated it on the ground by taking their hybrid SUV to stage victory.

D’entrée, le duo français était aidé par les problèmes de Nasser-Al Attiyah et Mathieu Baumel (Toyota) contraints de retourner sur la ligne de départ avec une roue avant droite endommagée après une mauvaise réception sur un saut. Les derniers vainqueurs du Dakar au tapis, Stéphane Peterhansel et Edouard Boulanger devenaient alors les favoris de cette première étape.

 

 

 

 

 

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While their rivals were unable to restart, the two Tricolores had a perfect run, systematically leading the way during the first 4 Waypoints. However, the French kept an eye on the duo Loeb-Lurquin (Prodrive) who was only 1'51 behind after 159 kilometers of racing. But once again luck would smile on them in this first outing of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2022.

On the attack behind Stéphane Peterhansel, Sébastien Loeb stopped his Hunter T1+ en route and lost almost 1h30 to his compatriot. The nine-time world rally champion left behind, the Audi duo then flew solo to stage victory with more than 9 minutes ahead of Yazeed Al-Rajhi-Dirk von Zitzewitz (Overdrive).

Winners of the opening stage of the 2022 @ADDCrally: @s_peterhansel and Edouard Boulanger arriving at the bivouac with the #208 Audi RS Q e-tron*.

>> https://t.co/i5Tnh0PJ97 #FutureIsAnAttitude #RoadToDakar2023 #ADDC2022 #RSQetron pic.twitter.com/dWZeYNg2K9

- Audi Sport (@audisport) March 6, 2022

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