UAE’s Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi hopes to learn from last year’s experience and pull off a surprise as the Abu Dhabi Racing chairman lines up in Saturday’s Dakar Rally.
Twelve months after being forced to retire due to technical issues on the penultimate day on his Dakar debut, the Emirati is back on South American territory for another shot of tackling the world’s most notorious cross-country race, which begins in the Peruvian capital of Lima.
Over the next fortnight, competitors will tackle a gruelling terrain of more than 9,000km.
The course includes criss-crossing the Andes and confronting the unique physical demands of Bolivia’s thin air, before crossing the finish line in Cordoba, Argentina on January 20.
Al Qassimi will be behind the Peugeot 3008 DKR Maxi, run by PH Sport alongside co-driver Xavier Panseri, and having broken into the top 10 at one stage last year, the Emirati has three wishes for the 14-stage race.
“I have three wishes for the Dakar. I hope it will be a nice race and no incidents for anyone,” he said. “Secondly, I don’t want to get lost and finally I would like to be the surprise of the Rally. But, I know that on just one stage we can lose more than an hour. I am only the driver, my co-driver Xavier Panseri has less experience but he is calmer and so I am confident.”
As well as tackling the course, the strength of field from the other 110 drivers makes Sheikh Khalid’s task of achieving his best target even more difficult.
Reigning champion Stephane Peterhansel headlines the list with a rich Dakar history.
Searching for his 14th Dakar Rally, the Frenchman has won on four-wheels seven times, including the last two for Peugeot, and scorched to six titles on a motorbike since his event debut in 1988.
The veteran 52-year-old led a podium sweep in the car race for the French manufacturer in 2017 and will be favourite again alongside team-mates Carlos Sainz, a two-time world rally champion and 2010 winner at the Dakar, Cyril Despres and Sebastien Loeb, a nine-time world rally champion.
“We have to get out of Peru well placed. With all the dunes, we must try not to get bogged down. The rally will not be decided before the finish line in Argentina.”
Portuguese football manager Andre Villas-Boas will also take part.
Ex-Chelsea and Porto boss revives a family link with his uncle Pedro Villas-Boas driving in the race in 1982 in a 4×4.
Meanwhile, Dubai-based Sam Sunderland admits being the bikes champion does present itself challenges but says it’s one that will spur him on.
“I am really looking forward to getting started on Saturday,” said the 28-year-old, who became the first Brit to win the crown 12 months ago.
“The 2017 season was good for me, I started off winning the Dakar and then fought for the World Championship right down to the final round in Morocco. I felt good on the bike all year, and the introduction of the new model gives some extra motivation to do well.
“Starting with the number one plate on my bike does add a little pressure, but I am honoured to have the opportunity to do so.”
A total of 166 other riders including last year’s runner-up Matthias Walkner and 2016 champion and team-mate Toby Price all stand in Sunderland’s way. And the Brit believes if he can still be in the mix after the first seven days, it will set him up nicely.
“The first five days of the rally are in the dunes of Peru and I really like that kind of terrain. Hopefully I’ll have a good race and if I can take things fast but steady during that first week I should be in a good position going into Bolivia and then onto the finish in Argentina.”
