ABU DHABI — Nasser Al-Attiyah grabbed the lead in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge Powered by Nissan Monday while Dubai-based British rider Sam Sunderland forced his way ahead in the battle of the bikes. Partnered by French co-driver Mathieu Baumel in a Mini All4 Racing, Al-Attiyah won the 279km ADNOC Special Stage 2 by 7mins 16 secs from Russia's defending champion, Vladimir Vasilyev in another Mini, to grab a 4min 13sec overall advantage. With Dutchman Erik Van Loon climbing three places to third, UAE local hero Yahya Al-Helei, the overnight leader, was seventh fastest on the day to finish the leg in fourth place overall alongside Emirati co-driver Khalid Al-Kendi in his Nissan Pick-up. After his stunning stage win 24 hours earlier, Al-Helei was keeping pace with Al-Attiyah and Vasilyev on the leg before losing time when forced to stop to repair a broken rear roll bar. Just 34 seconds further away in fifth was fellow-UAE driver Sheikh Khalid Al-Qassimi in a Toyota Hilux, with Argentina's Orlando Terranova completing the top six in another Mini. The ADNOC stage had begun with a spectacular mass start for the bikes, with the riders setting off in waves of 15. While Sunderland briefly became stuck in the giant dunes of the Rub Al-Khali, he still won the stage by three seconds from KTM teammate Matthias Walkner of Austria. He completed the stage holding an impressive 3min 30sec advantage over KTM teammate and reigning FIM world champion Marc Coma, with Spain's seven-times Desert Challenge winner settling for 10th fastest on the day. Defending champion Paulo Goncalves of Portugal is in third place, with Austrian Matthias Walkner, Portugal's Ruben Faria and American Ricky Brabec completing the top six. After another good day, the UAE's Mohammed Al-Balooshi was still comfortable in seventh overall. With three long and testing desert stages remaining before the finish at Yas Marina Circuit Thursday afternoon, the battle for honors is still wide open. Reaching the end of a demanding stage which twisted into the Rub Al-Khali, finishing close to the towering Moreeb Hill, Al-Attiyah said: “Yesterday we lost 21 minutes but today we started really well and we were careful for first 150km because the dunes were tricky. I really pushed for the last part and made up some good time. Nothing special but I am happy.”
