Nasser Al Attiyah secured victory in Baja Aragón 2016 by an margin of just 19 seconds this weekend (22-24 July). It was his second victory in the event following his success 2008. It was a thrilling finish to the challenging Spanish event, as local driver and FIA World Rally Championship legend Carlos Sainz just lost out to Al Attiyah on the final day.

After the opening two days of competition it was Sainz at the head of the pack. However, the Toyota of Al Attiyah was able to close the gap by more than a minute, and finally clinched victory.

Nonetheless, Sainz and his co-driver Lucas Cruz declared themselves “proud and happy”, as they did not expect to be in contention for the overall win coming into the event. Sainz added, “We did what we could – the terrain was a little slow and narrow for a car like ours, so to come away so close to the victory is very positive.”

Completing the star-studded podium was Finnish rally star Mikko Hirvonen, who reached the same position he managed last year in third. At his arrival to the finish line he said, “I’m very happy with the result – especially competing against some of the best drivers in the world. Baja Aragón is a fantastic event which is a lot of fun, and it reminds me a lot of the Dakar rally.”

Spanish Xevi Pons was the fourth overall, a superb result that reflects the impeccable performance he put in on his first ever Baja Aragón. Despite suffering a rollover on Saturday's stage, he fought back to come within touching distance of the top three and finished 09:57 away from the overall leader Al Attiyah.

In the Aragon Trophy, Joan Lascorz got his first victory in Baja Aragon. Driving a Polaris, this handicapped driver managed in only two years participating with four wheels, getting a victory in Baja Aragón's buggies category.

Martin Kolomy drove his team to the top of the trucks category, followed by Young Martin Macik, who won already this competition in 2009; and Spanish Aguirregaviria, who was third.

The final prize giving ceremony was held in Teruel's Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos, and was represented by Javier Domingo Navarro and José Manuel Valmaña Villarroya, Delegate Counsellors of Teruel's Town Hall; Manuel Vidal, Vice President of the Spanish Federation of Automovilism, apart from some other local and motorsports authorities.

The next round of the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies is the Hungarian Baja which takes place on 11-14 August. Click here to visit the event website.