Abu Dhabi: Wind and rain is expected to hit the final day of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, but even that looks unlikely to stop Team X-Raid's Leonid Novitskiy and Andy Schulz who will begin the Qasr Al Sarab stage with just over a three-and-a-half hour lead over the second-placed pair of Laurent Rosso and Francois Borsotto in the Auto category.
Meanwhile KTM's Marc Coma retained his grip at the top of the overall bike standings despite losing out to South African Sean Gaugain in the 314.17km fourth stage Wednesday.
However, it was a day of disappointment for quad rider Sebastian Hussaini who saw his title hopes fade away after his Suzuki developed a serious mechanical snag midway through the stage.
Having led for three days, Hussaini was left to endure the agony of seeing his rivals take full advantage of his misery as he looked on helplessly. Obaid Echtibi, the new quad leader now finds himself in a great position to go one better than last year's runner up spot. Local radio presenter Vicky White was another to benefit from Hussaini's misfortune, steering her Suzuki LTR 450 to a fourth-place stage finish which launched her to second in the overall positions.
KTM-UAE rider James West is third behind Coma and Gaugain, but just 20 minutes separates the three. "The final day is going to be very exciting for us bikers, almost a ‘photo-finish'," said an excited West. STAFF REPORT
Overall Standings after Stage Four: Bikes: 1. Marc Coma: 16h 56m 33s; 2. Sean Gaugain: 17h 06m 19s; 3. James West: 17h 14m 19s
Cars: 1. Leonid Novitskiy / Andy Schulz: 18h 13m 01s; 2. Laurent Rosso / Francois Borsotto: 21h 50m 33s; 3. Yannick Comagnac / Jean- luc Martin: 29h 03m 17s
