AFP reports have it that Nasser Al Attiyah has been forced to retire after a series of mechanical problems in his Hummer. The Qatari had suffer these mechanical problems since the start of the rally and was always hampere by losing time. He was 45 minutes away from the leader Peterhansel after 8 stages. The official Rally Website Dakar.com stated the following.
“Due to an insurmountable problem with his alternator drive belt, on the face of it, Nasser Al-Attiyah seems to have decided to throw in the towel after 174 km of the firs section of the day’s special.”
Official reports are not out yet but the news seems to be right as AFP states.