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Raajiv Tripathi
DOHA
“My third victory in the Dakar Rally signifies the resilience Qatar has despite being blocked by neighbours,” said Nasser bin Saleh al Attiyah soon after his arrival back home after winning a third title in Peru on Saturday.
Attiyah and his French co-driver Matthieu Baumel crushed an elite field, which included 13-time Dakar Rally winner Stephane Peterhansel, twice winner and defending champion Carlos Sainz and nine-time World Rally Championship winner Sebastien Loeb, to win the title of the ultimate test of man and machine on Thursday.
At the Hamad International Airport, His Excellency Salah bin Ghanem al Ali, the Minister of Culture and Sports, led the grand welcome by hugging Attiyah and garlanding him. Also present on the occasion were Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) President Abbdulrahman al Mannai, Qatar Shooting and Archery Association (QSSA) President Ali Mohammed al Kuwari and a large number of members from the ace rallyist’s family.
Attiyah was looking fagged out having spent thousands of kilometres in the sun, sand and dirt but a glow of satisfaction on his face was equally visible having helped three manufacturers win the grueling Dakar Rally crowns (2019 for Toyota, 2015 for MINI and 2011 for Volkswagen).
“This is a very special victory for me. This was the first Dakar Rally title for Toyota. Lots of strong drivers and factory teams were there. I was determined to win it not only for Toyota for Qatar as well this year. Qatar is blocked by neighbours and we always show we are strong and resilient.
“The Emir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani provides us everything that makes us strong and tough in sports. His support always inspires me to push myself and do my best. So these were some of the reasons why I wanted to win the 2019 Dakar Rally. I’m very satisfied that I could achieve my aim,” added Attiyah, who was second twice in three years since winning the second crown in 2015.
He said there was intense pressure on him to perform. “There was more pressure on me to win this time. The race itself is difficult. There was a difficult field as well. There were new and demanding routes. It takes a lot of toll on the body and the car to win. I’m really happy to get the third title.”
Despite three titles, Attiyah said he intends to continue racing in the Dakar Rally. “With my rivals like Peterhansel, Sainz and Loeb retiring and unlikely to come back next year, people feel that it would now be difficult to stop Nasser from dominating the Dakar in next 10 years.
“The 2019 rally also established Toyota and me as big brands and this partnership will continue for many more years to come,”
Attiyah also added that his team management is quite excited with his success and since Toyota is one of sponsors of the 2020 Olympic Games, he would try his best to qualify for his seventh straight Olympics as well.
“I got a call from the big boss of Toyota Akio (Toyoda). He was very happy. Now me and Qatar are like hero in Japan for helping Toyota win the first Dakar Rally. Also this win will open doors for bigger support from Toyota for my future Dakar Rally attempts,” he said.
Now the 48-year-old Attiyah he wants to resume his Olympics career in Tokyo next year where he hopes to take part once again in skeet shooting having won a bronze medal in London in 2012.
“This is my dream to go to my seventh Olympics and I will definitely push to contest in the Tokyo Games,” he added.
QMMF President Abdulrahman al Mannai said, “We’re very proud to be here to welcome Nasser. He is not only hero of Qatar but of the whole Middle East. What he has done is amazing. There are very few people who have won the Dakar three times or more. His victory is the win of Qatar, its people, rally drivers of Qatar and the QMMF.
“He is an intelligent driver and he applied the right strategy to control the rally before winning it. I’m sure he is not done yet. In my personal opinion, I feel this triumph will make him even stronger and it would be really hard for other drivers to stop him from excelling and winning more Dakar Rallies,” he added.The three-time Dakar Rally king now sets sights on shooting for Tokyo 2020 Olympics
DOHA
“My third victory in the Dakar Rally signifies the resilience Qatar has despite being blocked by neighbours,” said Nasser bin Saleh al Attiyah soon after his arrival back home after winning a third title in Peru on Saturday.
Attiyah and his French co-driver Matthieu Baumel crushed an elite field, which included 13-time Dakar Rally winner Stephane Peterhansel, twice winner and defending champion Carlos Sainz and nine-time World Rally Championship winner Sebastien Loeb, to win the title of the ultimate test of man and machine on Thursday.
At the Hamad International Airport, His Excellency Salah bin Ghanem al Ali, the Minister of Culture and Sports, led the grand welcome by hugging Attiyah and garlanding him. Also present on the occasion were Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) President Abbdulrahman al Mannai, Qatar Shooting and Archery Association (QSSA) President Ali Mohammed al Kuwari and a large number of members from the ace rallyist’s family.
Attiyah was looking fagged out having spent thousands of kilometres in the sun, sand and dirt but a glow of satisfaction on his face was equally visible having helped three manufacturers win the grueling Dakar Rally crowns (2019 for Toyota, 2015 for MINI and 2011 for Volkswagen).
“This is a very special victory for me. This was the first Dakar Rally title for Toyota. Lots of strong drivers and factory teams were there. I was determined to win it not only for Toyota for Qatar as well this year. Qatar is blocked by neighbours and we always show we are strong and resilient.
“The Emir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani provides us everything that makes us strong and tough in sports. His support always inspires me to push myself and do my best. So these were some of the reasons why I wanted to win the 2019 Dakar Rally. I’m very satisfied that I could achieve my aim,” added Attiyah, who was second twice in three years since winning the second crown in 2015.
He said there was intense pressure on him to perform. “There was more pressure on me to win this time. The race itself is difficult. There was a difficult field as well. There were new and demanding routes. It takes a lot of toll on the body and the car to win. I’m really happy to get the third title.”
Despite three titles, Attiyah said he intends to continue racing in the Dakar Rally. “With my rivals like Peterhansel, Sainz and Loeb retiring and unlikely to come back next year, people feel that it would now be difficult to stop Nasser from dominating the Dakar in next 10 years.
“The 2019 rally also established Toyota and me as big brands and this partnership will continue for many more years to come,”
Attiyah also added that his team management is quite excited with his success and since Toyota is one of sponsors of the 2020 Olympic Games, he would try his best to qualify for his seventh straight Olympics as well.
“I got a call from the big boss of Toyota Akio (Toyoda). He was very happy. Now me and Qatar are like hero in Japan for helping Toyota win the first Dakar Rally. Also this win will open doors for bigger support from Toyota for my future Dakar Rally attempts,” he said.
Now the 48-year-old Attiyah he wants to resume his Olympics career in Tokyo next year where he hopes to take part once again in skeet shooting having won a bronze medal in London in 2012.
“This is my dream to go to my seventh Olympics and I will definitely push to contest in the Tokyo Games,” he added.
QMMF President Abdulrahman al Mannai said, “We’re very proud to be here to welcome Nasser. He is not only hero of Qatar but of the whole Middle East. What he has done is amazing. There are very few people who have won the Dakar three times or more. His victory is the win of Qatar, its people, rally drivers of Qatar and the QMMF.
“He is an intelligent driver and he applied the right strategy to control the rally before winning it. I’m sure he is not done yet. In my personal opinion, I feel this triumph will make him even stronger and it would be really hard for other drivers to stop him from excelling and winning more Dakar Rallies,” he added.The three-time Dakar Rally king now sets sights on shooting for Tokyo 2020 Olympics
