Tribune News Network
Doha
Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah, alongside his co-driver Edouard Boulanger, extended his overall lead in the 25th edition of the Rallye du Maroc, the final leg of the 2024 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship, after securing second-place finish in Stage 2 in Zagora on Tuesday.
Lucas Moraes of Toyota Gazoo Racing claimed the 267-kilometer special stage victory, edging out Al Attiyah by 13 secs.
The podium win stretched Al Attiyah’s overall lead which now stands at 8’22” over X-raid Mini JCW driver Guillaume de Mévius and his navigator Mathieu Baumel. The Brazilian Moraes moved up to overall third position.
Al Attiyah, a two-time world champion, is aiming for his eighth FIA World Rally-Raid title and currently leads the Championship standings by 20 points over his closest competitor, Yazeed Al Rajhi. Al Rajhi, also driving for Toyota, started the day just 1’39” behind Al Attiyah, but after finishing 10th in Stage 2 – 14:38 off the pace – he has dropped to sixth overall.
In the Challenger category, Qatar’s Khalifa Al Attiyah and navigator Enio Bozzano finished sixth in Tuesday’s stage, while Abdulaziz Al Kuwari and his co-driver Nasser Saadoon Al Kuwari took 14th position.
Wednesday’s special stage will cover a distance of 325 kilometers, taking the competitors from Zagora to Mengoub.