SAN JUAN: Saudi world champion driver Yazeed Al-Rajhi began the defense of his Desafio Ruta 40 Rally title in Argentina on Monday. The event marks the third round of the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship and is part his preparations for next year’s Dakar Rally. Al-Rajhi and his German co-driver Timo Gottschalk, Dakar winners in 2025, entered this week’s race facing strong competition from a world-class field in the top-tier Ultimate category at what is considered one of the most demanding and diverse rounds of the championship in terms of terrain and stages.