Alkass Digital
Doha: Nasser Al Attiyah of Qatar, alongside co-driver Edouard Boulanger, claimed the overall lead in the 25th edition of the Rallye du Maroc, the concluding stage of the 2024 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship, after winning Stage 1 in Zagora, Morocco.
Driving for Dacia Sandriders, the Qatari-French pair dominated the 178-kilometer stage, finishing with a time of 02:10:09 to take the top position in the overall standings. Al Attiyah, a two-time world champion, is aiming for his eighth FIA World Rally-Raid title.
Entering the final leg in Morocco, Al Attiyah had a 20-point lead over his nearest competitor, Yazeed Al Rajhi. Al Rajhi, with co-driver Timo Gottschalk, the 2022 Rallye du Maroc champions, currently occupies second place in their Toyota. Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz, in a Ford Raptor, posted the third-fastest time.
In the Challenger category, Michal Goczal and Diego Ortega Gil lead following a stage victory yesterday. Qatar’s Ahmed Al Kuwari and co-driver Augusto Sanz moved up to ninth in the overall standings, while Khalifa Al Attiyah and navigator Enio Bozzano are in 13th.
Meanwhile, Abdulaziz Al Kuwari and Nasser Saadoon Al Kuwari are in 19th place.