Abdulaziz Al Kuwari and Khalid Al Suwaidi Make It a Qatar Podium 1-2-3; Kuwait’S Al Thefiri Starts MERC 2 Title Defence in Style Tribune News Network Losail
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QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune Salah strikes twice as Liverpool to third in Premier League MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2021 PAGE 14 Attiyah cruises to record-breaking 15th win at Qatar International Rally Abdulaziz Al Kuwari and Khalid Al Suwaidi make it a Qatar podium 1-2-3; Kuwait’s Al Thefiri starts MERC 2 title defence in style TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK LOSAIL NASSER Saleh Al Attiyah con- tinued to rewrite his own his- tory by securing a comfortable victory in the Qatar Interna- tional Rally on Sunday. The Qatari and French co-driver Matthieu Baumel managed the pace perfectly over the closing stages and guided their Autotek Motor- sport Volkswagen Polo GTi R5 to a winning margin of 1min 48.4sec over Abdulaziz Al Ku- wari and his new Irish co-driv- er James Fulton. Attiyah duly broke his own record of achieving a 15th victory in Qatar and a record breaking 77th MERC win in the 218-event history of the series. Baumel earned his 26th regional rally victory on the 41st running of the Qatar event to overhaul both Chris Patterson and Giovanni Bernacchini in the Hall of Fame. He now has his sights set on Ronan Morgan’s re- cord of 41 successes. “Today we did a really good job,” said Attiyah. “Leg Winners of Qatar International Rally 2021 Nasser Al Attiyah and French co-driver Matthieu Baumel (centre), first runners-up Abdulaziz Al Kuwari one was a nice fight between and his Irish co-driver James Fulton (left), and second runners-up Khalid Al Suwaidi and his Portuguese co-driver Hugo Magalhaes during the me and Kris Meeke. It was (be- prize-giving ceremony at Katara on Sunday. (Pics: QMMF) coming) a nice race but when Nasser Al Attiyah and Matthieu Baumel celebrate their win at Katara. Kris get out from the race it was an easy day for us today. It was great to have some high level in the Qatar Rally. If you look this year we had seven R5s. It was an amazing race. Thanks to the QMMF. I hope to continue in this level for this championship and this year.” Al Kuwari won three of the second’s day’s six special stages in his Tok Sport Skoda Fabia R5 and was pleased with the runner-up spot after in- frequent rally appearances in recent seasons. Khalid Al Su- waidi and his navigator Hugo Maghalaes rounded off the po- dium places to make it a Qa- tari driver 1-2-3. Any hope of seeing Al-Atti- QMMF’s Executive Director Amro Al Hamad applauds as Khalid Al Suwaidi yah and visiting WRC star Kris and Hugo Magalhaes raise their trophies at Katara on Sunday. Meeke battling for stage wins on the final day fizzled out when the Ulsterman was un- It has been a very successful start for the able to restart after the team International Middle East Rally Championships. We discovered engine damage on his SRT Skoda Fabia R5 that (QMMF) added a lot of soul into the Qatar International was sustained on stage five. Rally, and a full podium of Qatari names which includes “Unfortunately no day two Nasser Al Attiyah, Abdulaziz Al Kuwari – after a gap of more for us,” said Meeke. “On the Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) senior committee member Abdulrazaq Al Kuwari (left) and Losail Circuit Sports Club (LCSC) than a year and a half, Khalid Al Suwaidi – after more than last stage on Saturday, quite Vice-President Khalid Al Remaihi (right) with Abdulaziz Al Kuwari and James Fulton at Katara on Sunday. three years. Fourth overall Nasser Khalifa Al Atya. It has close to the finish, there were been amazing to see them all excel. Complete domination some waves (bumps) and I was on a similar line to my first in all five classes. Co-driver Nasser Al Kuwari proving that pass in the morning. But the he’s on top in Group N when it comes to navigation. car skipped and landed nose Saleh Al Saif, the first Saudi participant after a long time in on the next dip. This damaged Qatar and he made history by winning the newly-added the front bumper and took the T4 category. We have been astonished by how ell the water pipe off the radiator. That put an end to our rally. I rally came out given the challenging Covid times, the really enjoyed the experience. restrictions, to put in place the new protocols to ensure It’s a different kind of rally- everyone’s safety. ing here. It’s a bit like a jigsaw puzzle and to try to work it out Amro Al Hamad, Executive Director, QMMF is a challenge enough.” Nasser Khalifa Al Atya and R5 1hr 57min 16.9sec Lancer Evo X (MERC 2) 2hr Lebanese co-pilot Georges 4. Nasser Khalifa Al Atya (QAT)/ 34min 09.7sec Nader gave the host nation a Georges Nader (LEB) Ford Fi- 10. Zakariya Al Amri (OMN/ another driver inside the top esta R5 2hr 09min 41.6sec Mohamed Al Mazroui (OMN) four and Kuwait’s Meshari Al 5. Meshari Al Thefiri (KWT)/ Subaru Impreza (MERC 2) 3hr Thefiri began the defence of Meshari Al Thefiri of Kuwait and Nasser Al Kuwari. Saudi Arabia’s Saleh Al Saif and his co-driver Spanish co-driver Oriol Nasser Al Kuwari (QAT) Mitsubi- 01min 00.2sec his MERC 2 title in impressive Vidal on their Can-Am Maverick X3 following their T4 triumph. shi Lancer Evo X (MERC 2) 2hr 11. Henry Kahy (LEB)/Carlos fashion by winning the show- Al Aufi reached the finish in drive in his Skoda Fabia 1.6 to 17min 10.9sec Hanna (LEB) Skoda Fabia 1.6 room category and finishing seventh and eighth and Leba- take 11th place. 11 of the original for his rivals. Lebanon’s Jad Al ternational Rally at the end 6. Saleh Al Saif (SAU)/Oriol (MERC 3) 3hr 01min 40.3sec fifth overall in his Mitsubishi non’s Ahmad Khaled was 17 starters completed the rally. Aawar retired before the end of of February. Vidal (ESP) Can-Am Maverick X3 2021 Qatar National Rally – po- Lancer Evolution X. ninth. Rally first timer Sheikh A furious three-way battle the morning’s loop. 2021 Qatar International Rally – (T4) 2hr 19min 45.2sec sitions after SS11 (unofficial) FIA T4 cars are permitted Suhaim Al-Thani retired his waged for outright success in This event was held under positions after SS11 (unofficial) 7. Rashid Al Mohannadi (QAT)/ 1. Khalid Al Mohannadi (QAT)/ in gravel rounds of the series R5 Skoda before the last stage the Qatar National Rally be- the chairmanship of QMMF 1. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah Yousef Juma (JOR) Subaru Kirill Shubin (RUS) Polaris RXR this season and Saudi Ara- and missed out on a potential tween Ahmed and Khalid Al President Abdulrahman Al (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Impreza (MERC 2) 2hr 22min 1000 (T3) 2hr 17min 42.6sec bia’s Saleh Al Saif showed that top 10 finish. Mohannadi and Ahmed Allouh. Mannai, senior committee Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 1hr 31.3sec 2. Ahmed Allouh (QAT)/Firas the Can-Am Maverick X3 is a Oman’s Zakariya Al Amri They each won a stage on the member Abdulrazaq Al Ku- 50min 48.5sec 8. Zakariya Al Aufi (OMN)/Am- Allouh (QAT) Can-Am Maverick competitive package, setting a duly rounded off the top 10 and morning loop but time delays wari and the QMMF’s Execu- 2. Abdulaziz Al Kuwari (QAT)/ mar Al Balushi (OMN) Mitsubishi X3 (T3) 2hr 26min 15.3sec 3. fifth fastest stage time on the Lebanon’s Henry Kahy clinched cost Allouh his chance later tive Director Amro Al Hamad. James Fulton (IRL) Skoda Fabia Lancer Evo IX (MERC 2) 2hr Ahmed Al Mohannadi (QAT)/ way to a superb sixth place. maximum points in the MERC on and Khalid Al Mohannadi Action will resume in the R5 Evo 1hr 52min 36.9sec 33min 51.9sec Mubarak Al Khulaifi (QAT) Can- Qatar’s Rashid Al Mohan- 3 category for two-wheel drive secured the win by the margin FIA Middle East Rally Cham- 3. Khalid Al Suwaidi (QAT)/Hugo 9. Ahmad Khaled (LEB)/Musa Am Maverick X3 (T3) 2hr 42min nadi and Oman’s Zakariya vehicles after another measured of 8min 32.7sec after problems pionship with the Oman In- Magalhães (POR) Skoda Fabia Djiyerian (JOR) Mitsubishi 24.3sec. 12 Monday, February 1, 2021 Sports FIFA CWC Qatar 2020: Meet the Contenders AL DUHAIL SC AL AHLY SC Country: Qatar Country: Egypt Qualified: Host nation champions Qualified:CAF Champions League winners FCWC record: First appearance FCWC record: Sixth appearance (best fin- Head coach: Sabri Lamouchi ish: 3rd in 2006) As reigning Qatar Stars League (QSL) champi- Head coach: Pitso Mosimane ons, Al Duhail SC will be flying the flag of the host Widely regarded as world football’s nation at this year’s FIFA Club World Cup. The Red most decorated club, Al Ahly SC have been Knights will be making their debut in the competi- a dominant force in Egyptian and African tion after edging Al Rayyan to last season’s league football, with their success earning them title by a single point. Founded in 2009 as Lekh- the accolade of ‘Club of the Century’ from wiya SC, the club rebranded under the name Al the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Duhail when it merged with El Jaish SC in 2017. Since coming into existence, Al Duhail’s impact on Qatari club The Cairo-based outfit will be making their football has been impressive, as last season’s league triumph was their seventh QSL title.