Tony Lewis ABU DHABI — Nasser Al-Attiyah strengthened his grip Tuesday on the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge powered by Nissan with another measured drive in the Rub Al-Khali while world champion Marc Coma made a big move in his search for an eighth bikes triumph in the event. Partnered by French co-driver Mathieu Baumel in his Mini All4 Racing Al-Attiyah, the 2008 Desert Challenge winner, took the 272km Qasr Al-Sarab Special Stage 3 by more than 11 minutes from Russia's Vladimir Vasilyev to open up an overall lead of 15min 54secs from the defending cars champion in another Mini. With Dutchman Erik Van Loon another 14min 46sec adrift, the UAE's Sheikh Khalid Al-Qassimi finished the day within reach of a podium place after another impressive drive on his Desert Challenge debut alongside Portugal's Jose Marques in Toyota Hilux. Britain's Harry Hunt in a Mini and Poland's Marek Dabrowski in a Toyota Hilux completed the top six at the end of the demanding leg which was particularly unkind to another Emirati driver, Yahya Al-Helei. The first stage winner, who was still fourth at the start of the day, was halted by a broken clutch as he took his Nissan Pick up through the mighty dunes close to the legendary Moreeb Hill, eventually slipping to ninth place overall, more than two hours off the lead. “It was a difficult day, but this is what the Desert Challenge is all about,” said Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE, the rally organizers. Victory in the bikes by 29sec went to defending champion Paulo Goncalves, but second place on the day was enough to give Coma a 5min 4sec overall advantage from the Portuguese rider, with overnight leader Sam Sunderland slipping to third. Chile's Pablo Quintanilla, Portugal's Ruben Faria and American rider Ricky Brabec complete the top six heading into Wednesday's 258km Nissan Patrol SS4, with the UAE's Mohammed Al-Balooshi still going strong in seventh. Reaching the end of the stage, Al-Attiyah made it clear that it had been no easy task to extend his overnight lead of 4mins 13secs, saying: “It was a hard day with big dunes and soft sand, but luckily we didn't get stuck. It was also very hot but all is okay, we did a good job.” Van Loon completed the stage to say: “We started with a very fast pace today with the dunes at the beginning. We have a really good car this year and a podium finish is an exciting prospect.” Coma, who saw victory in last year's Desert Challenge snatched from him by Goncalves on the final leg, produced a great tactical ride on the day to put himself in a powerful position. He completed the Qasr Al-Arab stage to say: “A good day despite the difficult terrain. The first part was like piste but the open desert was good and I was able to achieve a fast pace.”
