Rally Raid
7 standout storylines to see unfold at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge
The best offroad racers are heading back out to the dunes, as the new rally-raid season gathers pace. Find out who'll be doing the moving and shaking in Abu Dhabi this week.
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Where will this rally be won and lost? Who is due a big win? What’s the most exciting new project on the grid this season? All these questions and more are answered below…
1. Cyril Despres has got a new ride
Cyril Despres won this race five times on a bike and now returns behind the wheel of a two-wheel drive SMG Buggy. The Frenchman will be joined in his buggy by Swiss navigator Steve Ravussin as they look to master the open desert. This is Despres’ first drive since his highly successful spell with Team Peugeot Total, which saw him secure two Silk Way Rally wins and a podium finish at the Dakar. “There’s some fast guys at this race,” Despres said. “I’m aiming to be battling at the front with them.”
2. It starts with some real speed
Before the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge heads off into the depths of the Liwa Desert the action will start with a Super Special Spectator Stage at Yas Marina Circuit. All 112 competitors, hailing from a total of 28 countries, will tackle the tarmac that hosts Formula One races. Opening the rally with this spectator-friendly stage on Saturday, March 24 allows fans to get a good look at their heroes ahead of five stages in the desert to come.
Cyril Despres is focused on a new project
© Jaanus Ree/Red Bull Content Pool
3. Luc Alphand is rediscovering offroad racing
Elsewhere in the car contest we’ll be keeping our eyes on Luc Alphand’s return to competitive offroad racing. The 2006 Dakar winner returns to racing in a Mini John Cooper Works Buggy after a break of nearly a decade. German co-driver Andreas Schultz will be alongside the Frenchman in Abu Dhabi. “I’m not putting any pressure on my shoulders,” Alphand explains. “I just can’t wait to start racing.”
4. Kuba Przygonski has a lead to maintain
The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is the third round of the FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup and Polish driver Kuba Przygonski will be out to continue his impressive start to the season. Strong results in Russia and Dubai have put Przygonski into an early championship lead. Alongside Belgian co-driver Tom Colsoul the target will be maximum points in Abu Dhabi on the road to World Cup glory.
Kuba Przygonski is on a roll
© Marcelo Maragni/Red Bull Content Pool
5. Nothing but dunes
A huge factor in attracting rally-raid's biggest names back to the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge year-after-year is the sheer thrill of racing over dunes for five days straight. Once Saturday’s Super Special Spectator Stage is done and dusted it will be out to the Liwa Desert of the Empty Quarter for five days of racing on sand. With close to 1,500 kilometres to be contested expect the dunes to have the last word on who gets to taste glory in Abu Dhabi this year.
6. Dakar champion Matthias Walkner is back in action
There’s a hunt for silverware on two wheels as well as four as the 2018 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship gets going in Abu Dhabi. Spearheading the attack for the Red Bull KTM Factory Team will be reigning Dakar champion Matthias Walkner. The Austrian rider is full of confidence following his triumph in South America and keen to start a winning streak. “I’m focused on the world championship,” Walkner told RedBull.com. “Recent testing in the sand of Morocco has gone well.”
Matthias Walkner wants more glory
© Kin Marcin/Red Bull Content Pool
7. Plenty of friendly rivalry
Perhaps the biggest threat to Walkner’s continued domination comes from within his own team. British biker Sam Sunderland has quickly put the injury that ended the defence of his own Dakar title behind him and is back competing. The third KTM Factory rider heading to Abu Dhabi, Australia’s Toby Price, is on his bike again after enjoying a four-wheel adventure at the Mint 400.
The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge gets underway with a Super Special Spectator Stage at Yas Marina Circuit on Saturday, March 24 and concludes on Thursday, March 29.
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