Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah and Polish junior rider Konrad Dąbrowski were confirmed as winners of the Qatar International Baja on Saturday, after strong winds, poor visibility and safety concerns led to the cancellation of the final stage for FIA competitors.
With visibility cut by blowing sand and gusting north-westerly winds, Al-Attiyah and French co-driver Mathieu Baumel could not take the revised start of the final section in their Toyota GR DKR Hilux. The result stood as at Friday evening, although reduced points were awarded to registered FIA Middle East Cup for Cross-Country Bajas contenders.
Safety is the most important thing for everyone and it was the only decision to cancel the stage today. It would have been a good fight. I was very happy with the way the car performed yesterday and I am always so happy to win races in Qatar. This terrain is tough and the navigation is never easy.
Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah
Yazeed Al-Rajhi and co-driver Michael Orr were second, and Yasir Seaidan and French co-driver Laurent Lichtleuchter completed a Toyota 1-2-3.
It was a clever and good decision to cancel the stage, safety is very important. There was a lot of wind and dust and the organisers tried to push us to CP1 to try and see how it was. We could not see, so it was a good decision. We want to do motor sport in a safe way. Sure I am happy with my position. Second place in Qatar, you have to be happy. To win here is difficult. Nasser has a lot of experience.
Yazeed Al-Rajhi
Dąbrowski dominates on two wheels
Duust Rally Team’s Dąbrowski was never troubled on the final windswept stage, pulling clear as the morning went on to win by 10min 53.9sec. It was Husqvarna’s first win in Qatar and the second Polish two-wheel success there after Maciej Giemza won the Qatar Cross-Country Rally in 2018.
It was really difficult today in some places with the white sand and the strong wind, it was difficult see and almost impossible to see the angles. I enjoyed it. I was pushing today. I didn’t want the guys to catch me. I focused on the navigation and the speed was coming with it. It was a really good day. First of all, I had my first ever stage win here and then to win every stage in the rally and to win the rally, I did not expect that. I am really surprised and really happy.
Konrad Dąbrowski
Emirati Mohammed Al-Balooshi and Britain’s Maki Rees-Stavros rode together for much of the final stage to take second and third.
I think second position was okay in the conditions. I congratulate Konrad on his win. I will come back next year and try to go one better. Now I must concentrate on getting results in the next races.
Mohammed Al-Balooshi
With the wind it was so difficult. I caught Mohammed just before the refuel and I tried leading. Then I got a bit lost and we took it turns. Buzzing to finish on the podium. I can’t believe it. My best ever result, for sure.
Maki Rees-Stavros
South Africa’s Michael Anderson was fourth and Britain’s Alex McInnes fifth, with Saudi Arabia’s Ahmed Al-Jaber, Robert Wallace, Qatar’s over-450cc winner Sheikh Mohamed Al-Thani and Bahrain’s Salman Farhan among the top 10.
Meeke wins T3
WRC star Kris Meeke enjoyed his first outing in a Can-Am in the T3 lightweight prototype category, winning the class and finishing fourth overall with French co-driver François Cazalet. The Andorra-based Ulsterman finished 21min 25.3sec ahead of local driver Ahmed Al-Kuwari in his QMMF Team Can-Am.
Unfortunately day two was cancelled. The wind was really strong on the far side of the country where the stage was due to start. It was like a mini sandstorm and visibility was really low. The organisers took a decision on safety. It’s a bit disappointing for everyone not to be able to get more kilometres. I really enjoyed day one and the two stages we did. I was happy we had a good rhythm. I can say it’s my first victory in off-road. I continue to learn and look forward to the next events.
Kris Meeke
Khalifa Saleh Al-Attiyah and Max Delfino received 12 minutes of penalties on Friday evening for missing route waypoints. The Qatari dropped to sixth overall but won FIA T4 by 4min 32.8sec from father and son Sadoon and Nasser Al-Kuwari. Rashid Al-Muhannadi, Emirati Yasmeen Koloc and Adel Abdulla were the other classified finishers in their Can-Ams.
Dani Sordo’s hopes were ruined by missed waypoints on Friday, and the Nasser Racing Can-Am debutant was classified 13th overall and eighth in T3.
Saudi Arabia’s Muneef Al-Shammeri (Nissan) was 14th overall and won FIA T2, while compatriot Abdulmajeed Al-Khulaifi won the FIM quads on his Yamaha after Belgian rival Emiel Stuckens completed only part of the final stage. Qatar’s Abdullah Al-Khelaifi was the only FIM SSV competitor.
Saudi Arabia’s Mishaal Al-Ghuneim held off Emirati Mohammed Meerza and Qatar’s Arkadiy Bochinin to win the FIM National Baja, and Al-Mashna and Hani Al-Shammeri won the National Baja for cars.
Saturday as it happened
The wind had strengthened overnight and was forecast to increase from the north-west about an hour after Dąbrowski led the field into the final 202.39km selective section.
The stage started in western Qatar and wound through the central deserts, with a bike refuel at PC2, to finish in the dunes and sand flats of the south. High tides and soft mud meant the traditional final runs along the beaches and tidal flats were not used.
Several riders were penalised for missing waypoints on Friday: Al-Sheeb dropped down the over-450cc order with 5hr 57min of penalties, Kongshøj received 4hr 01min and Al-Shatti 3hr 58min. Qatar’s Mohamed Al-Kaabi did not start.
Dąbrowski led the bikes from the start, pulling away from Al-Balooshi and Rees-Stavros as the wind picked up, and finished 5min 43.6sec quicker than his nearest rival. Saudi rider Abdulhalim Al-Mogheera retired from seventh on the run south towards the Inland Sea.
Attention then switched to the western deserts and the start of the car stage. Abdulla Al-Kuwari did not restart his T3 Can-Am, and officials moved the FIA start on visibility and safety grounds to a new control point just after the original PC1 at 38.69km.
But conditions worsened further, and with minimal visibility and shifting sand officials cancelled the stage for cars and told everyone to return to Lusail.