It was yet another win for Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Nasser Al-Attiyah after stage 11’s 464 km special from AlUla to Yanbo. Still, the gap in the general ranking between him and Stephane Peterhansel of Mini X-Raid, who claimed the second spot with a variance of one minute and 30 seconds despite hitting a massive rock close to the finish, remains intact. With just one stage left to go, it’s looking to be a close finish.
Crossing the line in third place yet again was Mini X-Raid’s Carlos Sainz, with a variance of two minutes and 36 seconds. He was followed by stage 10’s winner, Yazeed Al Rajhi of Toyota Overdrive. Cyril Despres of Abu Dhabi Racing achieved an impressive fifth place after leaving the stage in 24th. He was followed by Toyota Gazoo’s Giniel de Villiers and X-Raid’s Vladimir Vasilyev.
Abu Dhabi Racing’s Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi once again managed to claim a top-10 finish with eighth place. At one point, after 362 km, he was leading the stage by one minute and 10 seconds. He was followed by Orlen Overdrive’s Jakub Przygonski and SRT’s Yasir Seaidan.
The final stage will have drivers travel from Yanbu back to Jeddah. It’ll be a bit of a short one as it consists of a 247 km liaison with a 200 km special. All eyes will be on Al-Attiyah as he attempts to close the gap further on overall leader Peterhansel.
Stage ranking
1. Al-Attiyah (Toyota)
2. Peterhansel (Mini): +01:30
3. Sainz (Mini): +02:36
4. Al Rajhi (Toyota): +03:35
5. Despres (Peugeot): +08:01
6. De Villiers (Toyota): +11:55
7. Vasilyev (Mini): +13:29
8. Al Qassimi (Peugeot): +14:01
9. Przygonski (Toyota): +15:08
10. Seaidan (SRT): +15:17
General ranking
1. Peterhansel (Mini)
2. Al-Attiyah (Toyota): +15:31
3. Sainz (Mini): +01:04:50
4. Przygonski (Toyota): +02:32:21
5. Roma (BRX): +03:15:53
6. Al Qassimi (Peugeot): +03:25:45
7. Vasilyev (Mini): +03:26:55
8. De Villiers (Toyota): +03:53:53
9. Prokop (Ford): +03:59:48
10. Despres (Peugeot): +04:49:01
