LOEB AND AL-ATTIYAH RAPID OUT OF THE BLOCKS FOR THE DACIA SANDRIDERS

The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is under way with Sébastien Loeb and Fabian Lurquin going second fastest for The Dacia Sandriders on Stage 1 today (Sunday) after Nasser Al-Attiyah and Édouard Boulanger initially led round two of the 2025 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship.

Starting the 243-kilometre stage from Al Ain to Mezeer’ah in 14th position, Loeb and Lurquin completed the demanding route south in a time of 2h58m35s, 1m01s off the provisional lead.

Team-mates Al-Attiyah and Boulanger began their bid for Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge glory two places further back. Building on their quickest time through Saturday’s Prologue Stage, Al-Attiyah/Boulanger led after 120 kilometres to further demonstrate the performance of their sustainable-fuelled Dacia Sandrider.

However, an enforced wheel change following tyre damage meant they reached the finish of Stage 1 in fourth place, 2m16s behind the event’s early pacesetters.

Frenchman Loeb’s achievement alongside his Belgian co-driver Lurquin across Abu Dhabi’s spectacular sand dunes was particularly satisfying for the pair after their Dakar Rally bid last month was cut short on Stage 3 due to a damaged safety cage.

Despite his early setback in ambient temperatures that peaked at 37 degrees centigrade, Al-Attiyah, from Qatar, remains firmly in contention for a fifth Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge victory, which would mark a third event triumph for his French navigator Boulanger.

The Dacia Sandriders will overnight in Mezeer’ah ahead of Monday’s 228-kilometre loop stage of challenging sand and dunes.

KEY QUOTES

NASSER AL-ATTIYAH (QATAR), DRIVER, THE DACIA SANDRIDERS

“It was a good stage, we had a good speed except after 120 kilometres when we got a puncture and dropped from the lead to fourth. But I’m happy with the performance and tomorrow can be a good road position. Today was also to understand because the stage is new for everyone and we need to get a feeling with the car. I’m sure tomorrow we can push.”

SÉBASTIEN LOEB (FRANCE), DRIVER, THE DACIA SANDRIDERS

“It was good, we had a clean stage trying to get the rhythm at the beginning, trying not to take too much risk just to understand how the stage is and how the dunes are. When I got the confidence, I started to push harder during the stage and, in the end, I think I had a good rhythm. Second overall is not bad, it’s a good start to the rally.”

ABU DHABI DESERT CHALLENGE STAGE 1 RESULTS (UNOFFICIAL)

Al Ain-Mezeer’ah

Stage distance: 243km / Liaison distance: 157km / Total distance: 400km

2nd: Sébastien Loeb (FRA)/Fabian Lurquin (BEL), 2h58m35s

4th: Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Édouard Boulanger (FRA), 2h59m50s

ABU DHABI DESERT CHALLENGE: THE BIG NUMBER

2: Sébastien Loeb and Fabien Lurquin hold second overall in the provisional Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge rankings after Stage 1, their final finishing position on Rallye du Maroc, which marked The Dacia Sandriders’ competition debut last October.

THE DAY AHEAD: STAGE 2, FEBRUARY 24

The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge continues tomorrow (Monday) with a loop in the sand and dunes starting and finishing in Mezeer’ah to the south of the emirate. The 302-kilometre route includes 228 kilometres of competitive action.

Stage distance: 228km / Liaison distance: 74km / Total distance: 302km