Argentina - Chile - Dakar 2009 - rallying
Attiyah: I would like to be the first Arab to win the Dakar
Monday 05 January 2009
BMW's Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah (right in photo), who came in sixth in the 2007 rally, got off to a flying start this year with two victories in the first three stages.
Special Report Dakar Rally lands in South AmericaMonday 05 January 2009
By Allaoua MEZIANI - Thibault LIEURADE (text)Read the article about the third stage: 'Coma and Attiyah both take two of first three stages'
FRANCE 24 - What’s your first reaction after this second stage win?
Nasser Al-Attiyah - I’m very happy. This second win on the 2009 Dakar is really comforting and it gives me motivation. I think that’s the kind of thing I need. Moreover, I climbed from ninth to sixth [in the overall standings, editor’s note]. I hope that will count when we cross the finish line.
FRANCE 24 - You ended sixth in the 2007 Dakar rally. This year, you are second after three days of racing. Do you feel your car improved?
Nasser Al-Attiyah - Unquestionably. But I know we will have to stay competitive until the end if we want to succeed. Today’s win is a relief, but I still focus on the what really matters. The adventure is at its beginning. I won’t pretend that I don't have great hopes for the final victory. I feel things are going OK around me; there’s joy, satisfaction and determination. I would be so happy to be the first Arab to win the Dakar. And I really feel capable of doing it.
FRANCE 24 - What’s your strategy for achieving this goal?
Nasser Al-Attiyah - There’s a specific strategy for each stage. The Dakar rally is so difficult that it would be trivial to plan the whole race from the first to the last stage. I would say my assets are determination, confidence and endurance. The rest is unpredictable.
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07/01/2009 20:53:03 Alert a moderator
Pascal Terry
By Jorge from Toronto - Toronto, Canada
We're an argentinean family living in Canada and we would like to send our condolences to Pascal's family in this difficult moment. We know the risks these professionals take in these type of events, but we also understand we're never ready enough when a death happens. He died doing what he liked to do, we hope his family will be strong enough to go through these difficult times.
07/01/2009 19:57:30 Alert a moderator
metatron
By Fernando García - Argentina
The real name of the city is Puerto Madryn, no Madrid.