JEDDAH: Qatar’s Nasser Al-Attiyah won Saturday’s Dakar Rally prologue between Jeddah and Ha"il in the rally class with Australian Daniel Sanders leading the motocycle race. The second part of the opening stage takes place on Sunday with the final day of action on Jan. 14. Elsewere, French rally driver Philippe Boutron had to undergo surgery after suffering serious leg injuries in a car explosion and will return to France, race organisers said on Saturday. Boutron was involved in the non-racing incident along with five unhurt people in his car on Wednesday. Race director David Castera told France Info Boutron was planning to compete in the Dakar Rally for the ninth time and he is also president of third-tier French football club Orleans. “His condition is improving and his repatriation to France is being prepared,” Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) said. “His vehicle was brought to a sudden halt by a sudden explosion, the origin of which is still unknown at this stage. “The Saudi police immediately went to the scene and began their investigations," it added. The Saudi Interior Minister backed up ASO’s statement.