Abu Dhabi: Russian driver Vladimir Vasilyev extended his lead in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge on Tuesday while Dubai-based English rider Sam Sunderland regained the advantage in a fascinating bikes’ battle.
Partnered by Konstantin Zhilstov in a Mini, Vasilyev won the 256-km Qasr Al Sarab Special Stage 3 to stretch his advantage from 44 seconds overnight to 9 mins 48 secs from the Polish crew of Marek Dabrowski and Jacek Czachor in a Toyota Hilux.
Lying third more than 16 minutes further adrift was Poland’s Adam Malysz in another Toyota Hilux, with Czech driver Miroslav Zapletal in a Hummer, the UAE’s Yahya Alhelei in a Nissan Pick Up, and German Stephan Schott in a Mini completing the top six.
With two more stages remaining, only 52 seconds separate the top three riders. Sunderland now leads the bikes category by 30 seconds from KTM teammate and seven-times winner, Marc Coma of Spain, with Portugal’s reigning FIM world champion, Paulo Goncalves, breathing down their necks.
Goncalves was second fastest on the day behind Honda teammate Joan Barreda Bort who finished the stage in fourth place overall, while the UAE’s Mohammad Al Balooshi held on to his overnight seventh position.
It was a classic day of desert rallying at its spectacular best, as the 38 surviving cars and 48 bikes and quads followed a dramatic trail through mighty dunes in the UAE’s Western Region of Al Garbia.
Vasilyev reached the end of a breathtaking stage to say: “At the beginning and the end the stage was very difficult, especially in cars as the dunes were so steep and there were some very big drops in the last three kilometres.”
Alhelei, looking to add to his impressive list of finishes in an event he has contested each year since its launch in 1991, said: “I lost five or six minutes with a puncture which happened on landing after a big drop. The wheel was difficult to change in the soft sand, but it was a good day. I’m enjoying the car and the rally.”
Sunderland, who is making his debut with the KTM team, said: “I caught Marc (Coma) after about 80km and then made the pace up until refuel. Then the Honda guys caught us towards the end so we just chilled a bit and let them make the pace.”
Coma, the reigning Dakar Rally champion, commented: “Today I started first and I knew I would lose time. I went over a big jump at the start which left me a bit sore but I’m ok. The bike is going really well and everything is good.”
