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The Madrid Audi driver secured second place in the race’s opener, trailing the Qatari competitor by just twelve seconds; Nani Roma finished seventh.
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Austrian Sanders reigned supreme on the motorcycles’ inaugural day, with Joan Barreda finishing ninth, three minutes behind.
Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah (Toyota) immediately asserted his frontrunner status in the 44th Dakar Rally, launched this Saturday. He triumphed in the 19-kilometer prologue, clocking 10 minutes and 56 seconds. This edged out Spaniard Carlos Sainz (Audi) by 12 seconds and South African Brian Baragwanath (Century Racing) by 36 seconds.
The initial timed section (special stage) was brief, yet highly significant. The top fifteen finishers selected their starting positions for Special 1B in reverse order, thus influencing their ability to avoid leading and manage traffic conditions.
Furthermore, the prologue allowed drivers valuable time to acclimate to their vehicles before tackling the 815-kilometer liaison stage (with a speed limit of 100 to 120 kilometers per hour) to the Ha’il encampment.
???????? @AlAttiyahN is already on the attack! ⚡️#Dakar2022 pic.twitter.com/MUDytCuZ7F
— DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) January 1, 2022
From the outset, Nasser Al-Attiyah aimed to establish his dominance. The Qatari driver, a three-time Dakar champion (2011, 2015, and 2019), had previously declared a fourth Saudi Arabian victory as a paramount goal, leaving no stone unturned. He blazed through 19 kilometers, more than half (57 percent) across sandy terrain, in a remarkable 10 minutes and 56 seconds, seizing the early lead.
Peterhansel’s Underwhelming Start
His main competitors followed, except for the legendary Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel. The fourteen-time Dakar victor (six motorcycle, eight car) trailed by a minute and twelve seconds.
Al-Attiyah’s Audi teammate, Carlos Sainz, showcasing their innovative hybrid vehicle, pushed the Qatari racer. The Spaniard finished a mere twelve seconds behind, sharing the same time (11:32) as South Africans Baragwanath and Henk Lategan (Toyota).
Sébastien Loeb (Bahrain Raid Xtreme) secured fifth place, 37 seconds adrift of Al-Attiyah. Yazeed Al Rajhi (Toyota), a local competitor, followed, clocking 11 minutes and 43 seconds. Nani Roma (Bahrain Raid Xtreme), a past Dakar winner in both motorcycles (2004) and cars (2014), finished seventh (11 minutes and 45 seconds).
The opening day’s competition unfolded without major shocks, setting the stage for intense rivalry ahead. A challenging 334-kilometer special stage awaits the drivers and navigators on Sunday, starting and ending in Ha’il, where terrain and navigation will determine success.
Prologue Car Standings
1 – Nasser Al-Attiyah (Qatar): 10:56
2 – Carlos Sainz (Spain): 11:08
3 – Brian Baragwanath (South Africa): 11:32
4 – Henk Lategan (South Africa): 11:32
5 – Sebastien Loeb (France): 11:33.
In the motorbike division, Austria’s Daniel Sanders (Gas Gas) triumphed in the prologue, clocking 55 minutes and 30 seconds. He outpaced Chile’s Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) by a minute and Botswana’s Ross Branch (Yamaha) by a minute and 55 seconds.
To discover the leading Spaniard in Saturday’s prologue, one must look to ninth position. Joan Barreda (Honda) completed the course in 58 minutes and 30 seconds, securing a spot within the top 15. This advantageous placement allows him to select his starting position for the second day’s 334-kilometer timed stage.
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The reigning motorbike champion also performed admirably. Argentina’s Kevin Benavides (KTM) secured fourth place, finishing two minutes behind Sanders.
Motorcycle classification
1 – Daniel Sanders (AUS): 55:30
2 – Pablo Quintanilla (CHI): 56:30
3 – Ross Branch (BOT): 57:25
4 – Kevin Benavides (ARG): 57:30
5 – Matthias Walkner (AUS): 58:05.
Al-Attiyah Storms Ahead in Dakar 2022 Prologue: A Race Against the Clock and the Sands
The Dakar Rally, a grueling test of endurance and skill, kicked off this Saturday with a thrilling prologue that served as a dramatic overture to the main event. And the early narrative is clear: Nasser Al-Attiyah is here to win. The Qatari driver, a Dakar veteran with three previous victories under his belt, didn’t just show up; he announced his arrival with a dominant performance in the short but crucial 19-kilometer prologue.
Al-Attiyah’s time of 10 minutes and 56 seconds wasn’t just fast; it was a statement. He conquered the predominantly sandy terrain (a significant 57%), leaving his competitors in his dust. This victory secured him a prime starting position for the subsequent stages, a tactical advantage that could prove invaluable in navigating the challenging terrain and managing traffic throughout the race.
While the prologue’s short length might seem insignificant, its importance can’t be overstated. The top 15 finishers were rewarded with a strategic starting position choice for Special 1B — a crucial detail for managing the race flow and avoiding bottlenecks. Al-Attiyah’s commanding win ensured he will dictate a significant portion of the race pace.
The action wasn’t confined to the cars. In the motorcycle category, Austrian Matthias Walkner secured the early lead, setting the stage for what’s sure to be another fiercely contested race. While Joan Barreda, a notable contender, finished ninth, the substantial time deficit of 3 minutes hints at the intensity of the competition.
The race also showcased the impressive performance of the new Audi hybrid vehicle. Carlos Sainz, driving for Audi, put in a strong second-place performance, only 12 seconds behind Al-Attiyah. This tight finish speaks volumes about the competitive edge of the new technology and promises an exciting duel between the two drivers throughout the race.
However, the prologue also revealed some early surprises. The legendary Stéphane Peterhansel, a fourteen-time Dakar winner, had a somewhat underwhelming start, finishing more than a minute behind Al-Attiyah. This unexpected performance from the veteran racer presents a question mark for his chances in this year’s race.
the 2022 Dakar Rally’s prologue delivered exhilarating results, setting the stage for a captivating contest. Al-Attiyah’s commanding lead marks him as the early favorite, but the close competition behind him, coupled with the unpredictable nature of the Dakar, ensures that this year’s race remains wide open. The next few days will tell if this early dominance is a harbinger of victory or just a strong start in a long and arduous journey. The race is on!
