Nasser Al-Attiyah topped the second stage of the Dakar Rally on Monday in Saudi Arabia (Red Bull Photo)
Nasser Al-Attiyah topped the second stage of the Dakar Rally on Monday in Saudi Arabia (Red Bull Photo)

Al-Attiyah Tops Second Dakar Rally Stage

BISHA, Saudi Arabia – Nasser Al-Attiyah put Toyota on top during the second stage of the Dakar Rally on Monday in Saudi Arabia.

Much of the stage was controlled by Stephane Peterhansel, but Al-Attiyah eventually overtook him late in the 457 kilometer stage to collect the stage victory by more than two minutes over Peterhansel.

Despite his runner-up result on Monday, Peterhansel was able to move into the overall lead of the rally by a little more than six minutes over Carlos Sainz Sr., who finished nine minutes behind stage winner Al-Attiyah on Monday in third.

In the motorcycle category, Joan Barreda claimed his 25th stage victory during the Dakar Rally with a superb ride through Saudi Arabia terrain. He finished nearly four minutes ahead of Ricky Brabec to win the stage, which catapulted him into the class lead by more than six minutes over Brabec.

Pablo Copetti was the winner of Monday’s quad stage, but Alexandre Giroud still holds a bit more than a minute lead in the class. Dmitry Sotnikov was the stage winner in the truck division, which allowed him to increase his lead in the class to more than 17 minutes.  Saleh Alsaif topped the lightweight category while Rancisco Lopez Contardo continues to hold a slim lead overall in the class.