Published: 7 September, 2009, 12:23
Edited: 7 September, 2009, 12:23
The 2009 Silk Way Rally revved off in earnest on Sunday, with the legend of the cross-terrain race taking victory on Stage Two.
Nasser Al-Attiyah dominated the stage from Kazan to Buguruslan in an event which will span three countries – Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.
A 478 kilometer journey was certainly no leisurely summer drive, but Al-Attiyah is well accustomed to rocky roads. The Qatari, a decade-long veteran of Middle Eastern desert races, has won his fair share of them.
And he found the Russian landscape to his liking, storming home almost 3 minutes ahead of “El Matador” – the two-time World Rally champion Carlos Sainz.
Meanwhile, in the truck section, home favorite Vladimir Chagin had to settle for second on the day. The Kamaz driver finished 12 seconds behind Dutchman Gerard De Roy.
The rally raid will finish on September 13 in the Turkmen capital, Ashgabat.