efending champion Nasser Al Attiyah considers himself a strong favourite to win the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge but remains wary of the threat posed by his rivals.The 46-year-old Qatari has happy memories of the UAE capital having stood top of the podium in the cars category in 2008 and last year.The former Dakar Rally champion enters the third round of the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies on the back of his Dubai Baja victory earlier this month.
That triumph saw him climb to second position in the overall standings after missing the season-opener in Russia in February due to his participation in a shooting competition in Qatar.He will be aiming for a repeat and take the maximum double 60 points that are up for grabs when the five-stage Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge gets underway on Saturday with the Super Special stage at Al Forsan International Resort.
It will not be easy for the 12-time Middle East Rally champion with the field including championship leader Aron Domzala of Poland and UAE’s Khalid Qassimi, who sits third nine points adrift.
But Al Attiyah is feeling confident in the face of the challenges he’ll face with co-driver Mathieu Baumel in their Toyota.
“I will need to have a strong preparation and strong mind and it’s important that we go out there with a strong mentality.
“My target is to win the race and try and win as many stages as possible. Last year, I won four stages out of the possible five and it was good testing for me. The teams that will be competing are certainly strong there but it’s our goal to win in Abu Dhabi.
“For me, I know my base and my plan is to win most of the stages and if we do that, it would give me a lot of confidence for the next race