Nasser Al-Attiyah: “Every kilometer will be important”

Nasser Al-Attiyah (Dacia, partnered with Fabian Lurquin) is a prominent PSG fan due to his Qatari nationality, but he is also a believer in the concept of the "remontada" popularized by another major football club, FC Barcelona. The three-time world champion rally-raid (W2RC), dropped to 20th place at the end of the 1st stage of the 2025 Rally of Morocco, returned to the foot of the podium after four special stages!

“The stage was very difficult,” admits the seven-time winner of the Moroccan event. “The navigation was tough! But we did a good job. We didn’t take any risks. We’re very happy to be back in the fight for the podium, given our setbacks in the first stage.” (broken right rear triangle. Editor's note). Tomorrow (Friday), we must redouble our attack, especially since the starting position will be favorable to us (3e)"

In the general classification, Al-Attiyah-Lurquin have indeed moved up to 4th place, 7'34'' behind their teammates. Loeb-Boulanger, but only 43 seconds behind the 3rd position occupied by Roma-Haro (Ford), before the fifth and final stage scheduled for Friday around Erfoud (247 km).

As things stand, Nasser Al-Attiyah would secure his fourth consecutive W2RC crown, with a slim margin of 2 points over Lucas Moraes-Armand Monleon (Toyota). The Brazilian-Spanish opponents are 2nd, just 3'38'' behind Loeb-Boulanger.

A decisive Power Selective Section

In this equation, the allocation of bonus points during the Power Selective Section, the equivalent of the Power Stage in WRCOver 40 km, the 3 fastest competitors will obtain 3, 2 and 1 point(s), in addition to the 5 points reserved for the winner of Stage 5. The two sections will in fact be separated.

Nasser Al-Attiyah took advantage of our microphone to give his opinion on the starting order of the so-called Power Selective Section. Unlike the starting order of the stages (including Stage 5), this is determined at the discretion of the race organizers and the World Championship promoter.

"In my opinion, competitors ranked 11th to 20th should start first., explains Al-Attiyah. This would clear the track and create a trail for the top 10 riders who would then set off. This way, we would have no excuses. (in case of underperformance). I don't want to open the Power Stage, that would mean I would automatically lose.

It's going to be tight. Anything can happen in the last 40 kilometers. (corresponding to the Power Stage). Every kilometer will be important.”

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