Al-Attiyah continues to lead in Rally Kazakhstan

Qatar’s ace driver Nasser al-Attiyah and his French co-driver Mathieu Baumel have maintained their Rally Kazakhstan lead after the fourth of six legs, the duo measuring their pace over the second longest section of the event. 
The battle for second position continues to be fierce as Jakub Przygonski and Timo Gottschalk retook the advantage, the MINI crew moving back into second ahead of Bernhard Ten Brinke and Tom Colsoul.
Yesterday’s 399.24 kilometre section provided yet another mix of conditions, overnight rain adding to the challenge as the crews once again powered over dunes, camel grass, fast muddy tracks and standing water. 
With nearly 12 minutes in hand this morning, Toyota Hilux Overdrive’s al-Attiyah could afford to be tactical, the Qatari eyeing a second Rally Kazakhstan win and another 2019 victory in the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies.
“It was a long stage and we didn’t take risks, it wasn’t necessary to push,” said al-Attiyah, who was fifth fastest through the section. “We will have a better road position for tomorrow and can hopefully retake another two or three minutes if possible; we’re just keeping an eye on Przygonski and Ten Brinke.”
Yazeed al-Rajhi and Dirk Von Zitzewitz claimed their first stage win of the event by three minutes, powering their Toyota Hilux Overdrive through the section in 3 hours 43 minutes and 53 seconds. The husband and wife duo of Stéphane and Andrea Peterhansel also had a good day, the John Cooper Works Buggy crew second fastest to al-Rajhi.
Przygonski was third fastest, ahead of rival Ten Brinke, to move back up the standings to second overall with exactly one minute separating the two crews.