Manchester United striker Cavani handed three-match ban over social media post FRIday, JANUARY1, 2021 page 11 Three-time champion Attiyah awaits 2021 with the number 301! 43rd Dakar Rally starts January 3 in

Tribune News Network Doha

On Thursday afternoon, 30 of the top competitors in the participated Thirty of the top competitors in the 2021 Dakar Rally participated in a video conference revealing their ambitions for the race on Thursday. in a video conference revealing There are just a few days to go before the action heats up on the tracks from Januray 3 to 15 and in the dunes of Saudi Arabia, but the Dakar their ambitions for the race to champions have already somehow discovered uncharted territory by taking part in a digital press conference. come and a lot more. This in- cluded Qatar’s ace driver and three-time Dakar champion Winning is always the goal. I have always won with the number 301. But, I have respect for all the Nasser Al Attiyah. The Gazoo Toyota challenge drivers, and I am especially grateful to all those who worked so hard so that we could be together for hinges around triple Dakar and this Dakar in Saudi Arabia because this year has been very difficult for everyone. Toyota’s 2019 winner Nasser Al Attiyah and Matthieu Baumel Qatar’s ace rally champion Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah even surpassed all of my ob- as long as 28 hours, I am used and 2009 winner, Stellenbosch jectives by winning the quad to it. But here, it will be for 12 race hero and imposed on them upon their set among the bikers. so that we could be together tunity to provide their vision of category three times. So, when days! My main worry is the Alex Haro Bravo. Toyota has arrival in , the main It is the same idea from for this Dakar in Saudi Ara- the Dakar. I received the offer from the fear of the unknown.” worked and tested throughout favourites spoke of their ambi- Stephane Peterhansel on the bia because this year has been The memories of their first Buggyra team, I didn’t hesi- The Dakar Rally is ac- lockdown to be ready for Dakar tions, recreating a bivouaclike eve of his 32nd participation, very difficult for everyone.” participation, the fear after tate: it was, of course, yes.” knowledged as one of the Rally 2021. atmosphere through the use of remembering “that in the be- All impatient and relieved a fall, the desire to surpass (USA - greatest rally raids in the There are just a few days to video screens. ginning, the Dakar was a dream to start the 43rd edition, the themselves in this competi- bikes), said, “Whether you win world. It depicts the ultimate go before the action heats up “We are all 100% commit- and even today it’s still not a leading tenors of the rally, from tion, which motivates them it or not, the Dakar changes human and sporting experi- on the tracks from Januray 3 ted once we put on our hel- job, but rather a pleasure.” to Ricky Brabec via more than any other, or humil- your life. The victory is just the ence over several thousand to 15 and in the dunes of Saudi mets, but once we arrive at Delighted on having the the returning Sebastien Loeb, ity in the face of the hazards icing on the cake.” kilometers of some of the most Arabia, but the Dakar cham- the bivouac, we experience the car number 301, Nasser Al At- Ignacio Casale who is starting that the rally holds in store. Kirsten Matlock (USA - challenging, hostile, and ma- pions have already somehow same pleasure when talking tiyah, said, “Winning is always a new career behind the wheel Ignacio Casale (Chl - SSV), said, “The Dakar is at jestic terrain on the planet. discovered uncharted territory about what we saw during the the goal. I have always won of a truck, Yazeed Al Rajhi who trucks), said, “My first Dakar, the very top of my list of things In spite of the challenges, by taking part in a digital press day, donkeys or camels along with the number 301. But, I carries the hopes of Saudi Ara- in 2010, was in a truck along- I want to accomplish in my the 43rd Dakar promises to conference. the tracks. In reality, it’s like have respect for all the drivers, bia, and Seth Quintero who is side my father. It was so hard life. On the Baja 1000 in the be supreme once it gets under Isolated in their hotel rooms a second family,” said Toby and I am especially grateful to plunging into the deep end at that I swore I would never do United States, I drove from way with over 4800 km of rac- adhering to the health protocols Price in describing the mind- all those who worked so hard the age of 18, have the oppor- it again. But I have met and start to finish and it can last ing over two weeks. Al Shaqab Cup for Injaaz Stud’s Lekhraib

Tribune News Network DOHA

Injaaz Stud’s Lekhraib stormed to Al Shaqab Cup vic- tory guided by jockey Marco Casamento on the dirt rack at Qatar Racing & Equestri- an Club’s Al Rayyan Park on Thursday. QREC Racing Manager Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi presented trophies to the win- ners of Al Shaqab Cup. Casamento rode the Mo- hammed Ghazali-trained 6-year-old horse to a con- vincing 5¼-length win in the 1700m run for Local Purebred Arabians, clinching the top prize of QR 57,000. Lekhraib (AF AlBahar x Trainer Mohammed Gazzali receives the trophy from QREC Racing Grace T) clocked a time of Manager Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi. 1:59.76 in the six-entry contest The winning group of Injaaz Stud’s Lekhraib with the Al Shaqab Cup and other trophies at QREC’s Al Rayyan Park on Thursday. held under lights. Soufiane Saadi, astride Hazm Al Sulaimi, finished in second spot. Lama, who had Ali Khalid Al Mosallam in the saddle, clinched the third place. Saadi won QR 22,000 while Al Mosallam’s efforts were worth QR 11,000 in what was the feature race at Al Rayyan Race Park. Earlier, Al Sakab Stud’s homebred Al Faisaliya (Coach House x Shielaligh) won the Local Thoroughbred Handi- cap (70-90). Jockey Ronan Thomas rode the Ibrahim Al Malki- QREC Racing Manager Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi. hands the owner’s trained 4-year-old filly to a trophy to Injaz Stud representative at Al Rayyan Park on Thursday. 2-length win a time of 1:12.96. Thomas won the top prize of (0-95) with Saadi who rode Jaber’s Southernmachoman QR 34,200. the Hamad Al Jehani-trained (Mucho Macho Man x Deep Killian Leonard, astride 4-year-old colt to a ¼-length South) won in the Thor- Sarmad Bu Thaila (trained by win in the 6 furlong run. Saadi oughbred Handicap (0-75). Mohamed Khaled Elahmed) won QR 31,30. Ali Khalid Al Mosallam rode finished in second place Return To Senders (Marco the Hadi Al Ramzani-trained whereas the third spot was Casamento) and The Singer 4-year-old colt to a short grabbed by stabelmate (Carlos Henrique) completed head win in the 6f run. Dhergham Bu Thaila, who had the top three. Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Ku- Michael Forest in the saddle. Also, Ali Hassan Ali Alab- wari’s Qawaafi (Mukhadram x Leonard won QR 13,200 dulmalik’s Alizoom (Invincible Fashion Rocks) won the Local while Forest picked up QR Spirit x Lady Springbank) won Thoroughbred Maiden Plate 6,600. the Thoroughbred Handicap with Michael Forest in the sad- Jockey Matco Casamento guides the Mohammed Ghazali-trained Lekhraib to victory in the 1700m run for Local Purebred Arabians, In the day’s sixth race, (0-85). Jockey Ivan Rossi rode dle. Forest rode the Moham- Saeed Nasser Al Qadi’s Zaran- the Debbie Mountain-trained med Riyaz-trained 3-year-old ifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari won trained 3-year-old filly to a Injaaz Stud’s Mister General rode the Mohammed Riyaz- di (Scat Daddy x Zaralanta) 7-year-old gelding to a short filly to a 2½-length win in the the Purebred Arabian Maiden 3½-lenght win in the 6f run (General x Last Guest) won trained 4-year-old colt to a completed a double winning in head win in the 1900m run. 1700m run. Plate with jockey Casamento. for unrated 3-6-year-olds. the Purebred Arabian Maid- convincing 5¾-length win in the Thoroughbred Handicap Abdulaziz Saleh Al Salsabiel, owned by Khal- The Mohammed Ghazali- In the day’s opening race, en Plate as Khalid Al Balushi the 1700m run.