“A difficult lead to manage” for Nasser Al-Attiyah

In the lead since the very first special, Nasser Al-Attiyah and Mathieu Baumel experienced a special Dakar, where management and calm were the key words of their fortnight. A special approach for the Qatari, now four-time winner of the legendary rally-raid event.

Published on 14/01/2022 à 19:30

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“A difficult lead to manage” for Nasser Al-Attiyah

Nasser Al-Attiyah joins Ari Vataner in the list of quadruple Dakar winners - Photo Frédéric Le Floch / DPPI

Conclusion rally rhymed more with caution and safety than speed and haste. Leader of the general since the very first special, Nasser Al-Attiyah had to learn to manage. Manage a lead that quickly became significant (more than 50 minutes after 3 specials), without taking the slightest risk. This experience, with victory at the end, is obviously worth it. But it was not as easy a task as one might think.

“It was really difficult to manage this lead, he concedes after the finish of the twelfth stage. The second week was not easy, because normally I ride at my maximum. And there, we were in constant control, we had to drive quite slowly. It's a nice lead, but it's even better with the victory at the end. »

27 minutes ahead of Sébastien at the finish Loeb, the mattress was rather comfortable for Al-Attiyah. Like the Frenchman on arrival, the now four-time winner of the Dakar pays tribute to his main competitor:

“Sébastien [Loeb] was incredible. Even before the start of the rally, I said that our main opponent was Seb, that we were going to fight with them until the end. We were lucky, and we had great times from the first day. »