Dean Elgar named Man of the Match, Series as South Africa sweep series WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2021 PAGE 14 Back-to-back stage wins for Nasser Al Attiyah, moves to overall second AGENCIES WADI AD-DAWASIR (SAUDI ARABIA) Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah combined impressively with his French co-dirver Matthieu Baumel to top the third stage of Dakar Rally on Tuesday. The duo had claimed the sec- ond stage too. The three-time champion Attiyah finished in 4hours, 3 minutes and 14secs, ahead of 13-time winner Stephane Pe- terhansel (4h 05’ 49”) in the loop around the deserts of Wadi ad-Dawasir. Attiyah is now overall second in the cars category, with a difference of 5 minutes and 09secs and with- in touching distance of Peter- hansel in the 12-stage rally which concludes Jaunuary 12. Qatar’s other participants, Khalifa Al Attiyah finished the third stage in 5th position in the SSV class with a total dis- tance of 629 kilometers, while Ahmed Al Kuwari with his co- driver Nasser Saadon Al Ku- wari finishesd 46th. With his third special stage success of the year, including the prologue loop near Jed- dah, Attiyah now boasts a to- tal of 38 victories. With such a score, he again moves ahead of his rival Carlos Sainz in the Dakar history books, this time for the number of stage wins in the car category. This morning, the Qatari was faced with the tough task of opening the way, but he skil- fully avoided the navigational pitfalls. Despite his three victories this year, Attiyah is still a certain distance behind Stephane Peterhansel who has Biker Sara Jugla of France seeks the attention of Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah and his French co-driver Matthieu Baumel of Toyota Gazoo Racing during stage three of Dakar Rally 2021 from Wadi Ad Dawasir to Wadi Ad 47, three less than the record Dawasir in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. (PIC: REDBULLCONTENTPOOL) holder in the category, Ari Va- tanen (50 stage triumphs). Honda rider is also second in Speaking of his good show the general standings, a little today, Attiyah, said, “To open more than thirty seconds be- and to win the stage is good.” hind American Skyler Howes. Starting in the trickiest po- “This Dakar is really dif- sition, the Qatari driver won ferent than before,” said Be- his 3rd special of the year. navides. “Now we are some “I’m quite happy. Today we days at the back, some days really pushed a lot and Mat- at the front. Maybe tomorrow thieu did the navigation well. I’ll have to open or something, Everything is working very but, for sure, this Dakar is like well like we need it to. I’m re- a game of strategy. I feel so ally quite happy with the pace, good with the bike and strong, because to open and to win so I’m just calm. My strategy is the stage is good, you know? to take it day by day.” I think there was one point Meanwhile, “Chaleco” where it was very, very difficult López, another Dakar die- navigation and I think most of Australian biker Toby Price negotitates a rocky terrain on his KTM on hard, increased his lead in the the drivers got lost there.” Tuesday. Price topped the stage. (AFP) lightweight vehicle category by The leader of the general winning the 15th stage of his standings, Peterhansel, is now who now finds himself 45 min- sure, the performance was not double-discipline career. engaged in a duel with Attiyah. utes behind Peterhansel. exactly what we could have In the truck race, Kamaz With his new co-pilot Edouard Formula One driver and hoped for, but we drove a good driver Dmitry Sotnikov is still Boulanger, the Mini crew is now a rallyist, Frenchman stage, with one little naviga- the boss, even if Sarhei Vi- working perfectly. Loeb finished with a consecu- tion mistake where we lost a azovich picked up a second “It was a really good mix,” Qatar’s Khalifa Al Attiyah, who finished the third stage in 5th position in SSV class with a total distance of tive second sixth place which few minutes, a little puncture stage victory this year with his said the Frenchman. “Today it 629 kilometers, in action on Tuesday. also saw him climb to the sixth also, but overall it was a long Maz truck. was a really complete stage. At place in general rankings. and tough stage, so we’re hap- Argentinean Nicolás Cav- the beginning it was trial-like sometimes canyons, sandy I’m really happy with the job pilot, so it’s good for the next “Overall it was a long and py to be here,” he added. igliasso reacquainted himself in the rocks, with the big rocks. canyons, nice dunes also and done by Edouard Boulanger day,” he added. tough stage,” he said. In the bike category, Austral- with success and moved to On the first trial section we got a fast plateau… It was a really my co-pilot. In the compli- Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz The Bahrain Raid Xtreme ian Toby Price (KTM) topped within 6’41’’ of Giovanni En- a puncture, so after that I took good mix. cated places, he did a really lost half an hour today, which team driver could yet re-join the stage to be fourth overall. rico, the rally’s quickest quad it a little more safely in the “The result is not perfect good job. I’m happy with the amounts to twice the deficit the battle for victory. “I think Kevin Benavides finished so far, by picking up his first rocks. After that, there were because of the puncture, but car and I’m happy with the co- conceded by Sebastien Loeb, it was quite a good day. For second. The Argentinean stage win of the year. No ‘normal season’: F1 expects more coronavirus disruptions DPA for a fortnight with training ferent calendars, not only For- headers in Austria, Britain and happen, confinement, the vi- BERLIN however permitted in their mula 1, but on other calendars,” Bahrain, as well as new tracks rus is there,” Todt said. bubble. Todt was this week quoted as like Mugello, Italy, and Porti- The start of vaccination in FORMULA One appears to be A similar quarantine sce- saying by autosport.com and mao, Portugal. several countries offers hope bracing itself for another year nario appears impossible for F1 other motor sports sites. Todt lauded F1 and their that things can return to normal, with a revised calendar owing with its large number of team “If I had to commit on a former chief Chase Carey for including a return of fans, which to the coronavirus pandemic, staff of around 1,000 and equip- back to kind of normal, even if how the 2020 season could be would help race promoters and at least for a few months. ment, and talks are already re- I feel it will be a different life held and completed in bubbles the smaller teams who have suf- Speculation is growing that portedly in progress to find a behind the COVID-19 crisis, and without major incidents, fered badly financially from the the season-opener in Australia different date for the race. I think half of next year, in even though three drivers in- enforced 2020 changes. on March 21 can’t take place Restrictions could also force my opinion, will not be as we cluding world champion Lewis F1 hopes to have as few because of regulations under other changes to the original could have expected to have in Hamilton tested positive for the as possible disruptions and which everyone who enters calendar with a record 23 races, a normal season.” coronavirus and missed races. reportedly has reached agree- the country must quarantine according to Jean Todt, presi- Last year’s season started But the work from 2020 ment with all countries for for two weeks. dent of the ruling body FIA. four months late and instead means nothing now as Todt entry under bubble conditions Tennis players at the Aus- “I’m sure that over the next of the planned 22 races 17 said that “we start from a - although that now seems not tralian Open in February will days, we will hear quite a lot of were held, only in Europe and white piece of paper.” possible in Australia, at least FIA president Jean Todt says the 2021 Formula 1 campaign will not also arrive early to quarantine potential changes on the dif- the Middle East, with double “Lockdown is still going to for the March date. be like “a normal season” and expects more calendar changes. Sports Wednesday, January 6, 2021 13 Al Gharafa’s Ahmed Alaa Ings’s early Southampton to undergo surgery winner sinks Liverpool Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl (centre) celebrates while Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp appears dejected at the end of their English Premier League match at St Mary’s Stadium on Monday. (DPA) need to have the perfect game “We didn’t score again, against Liverpool and I think we’ve had chances and not put we did have that. the ball in the back of the net “It was an intense game, in the last two games,” reflect- my voice is nearly gone. The ed Liverpool captain Jordan guys are tired, you have to be Henderson. to win against such a team. “We knew they would come The guys believed in what they out fast but we were sloppy, Southampton’s English striker Danny Ings (right) celebrates after scoring the opening goal against his were doing.” we gave away one or two free- former club Liverpool at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton, England, on Tuesday.