Guerlain Chechert wins the second stage of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Desert Rally

The competitions of the second stage, “ADNOC Distribution Stage,” of the Abu Dhabi Desert Rally, which is being held in its 33rd edition, were concluded under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, and organized by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Emirates Motorcycle and Motorcycle Organization.
The second stage started from the Ghayathi Desert and reached Al-Muzaira'a for a distance of 239 km. The Frenchman, Guerlain Chechert, won the car category after covering the distance in a time of 3:15:58 hours. Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah came second, with a difference of two minutes and 44 seconds, and the American came in third place. Quantero, however, Al-Attiyah remained in first place in the overall standings with a time of 6:53:35 hours, followed by Brazilian Morris, a difference of 8 minutes and 31 seconds, and Argentine Yacobini in third place, a difference of 9 minutes and 38 seconds.
In the Challenger category, American Jones won first place in the second stage after covering the race distance with a time of 3:26:18 hours, and maintained his lead in the overall standings with a time of 7:12:58, followed by Lithuanian Paciuska, 6 minutes and 2 seconds behind Jones.
In the “SSV” category, the Saudi Yasser Al-Saeidan won the stage with a time of 3:33:19 hours, but Mansour Al-Hali remained at the top of the overall standings with a time of 7:29:20 hours, two minutes and ten seconds behind Al-Saeidan.
In the motorcycle race, cyclist Ross Brunch from the Hero team won the second stage, Oakley came second, and Brabec came third, and early accidents in the bike category led to the exit of both Tobias Ipster and Michael Docherty from the race.
In the quad category, Emirati Abdulaziz Ahli excelled after he dominated the stage and covered its distance with a time of 04:00:29 hours, 9 minutes, and 50 seconds ahead of his closest pursuer, Polish Wisniewski.
For his part, Khalid bin Sulayem, Chairman of the Emirates Motor and Motorcycle Organization, said: “Our partnership with ADNOC Distribution has lasted for 27 years and is the cornerstone of this event. Moreover, their dedication to the energy, petroleum, and sustainability sectors continues, and their role in the Abu Dhabi Desert Rally is very important.” Here I would like to express my deep gratitude to this wonderful and exemplary national company for everything it provides to the Abu Dhabi Desert Rally, and we look forward to many more years of fruitful cooperation with them.”
The third stage, “the Abu Dhabi Sports Council Stage,” will start tomorrow, Thursday, February 29, from Al-Muzaira’a, for a distance of 415 kilometers (252 kilometers of which are private), specifically from Mahdhar Hamim to Jarirah. The stage is characterized by difficult terrain, with 52% of the distance represented by sharp dunes.
It is worth noting that the maximum number of points during the stages of the Abu Dhabi Desert Rally is 55 points, 30 of which are for the overall win, and 25 points for winning the five stages (5 points for each stage).
The Abu Dhabi Desert Rally is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, and organized by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Emirates Motorcycle and Motorcycle Organization, in cooperation with this year’s energy partner, ADNOC Distribution Company. Automotive partner Al-Futtaim Toyota; Abu Dhabi Aviation Company; Search and Rescue Centre; Al Ain water; Government support from the Ministry of Defense, the UAE Armed Forces, Abu Dhabi Police, Civil Defense, Abu Dhabi Distribution Company, Al Dhafra Region Municipality, and the media partner, Abu Dhabi Sports Channel.