Carlos Sainz took the lead in the Dakar Rally by claiming the victory in the second special stage today.
The two-time world rally champion, who is going for his first Dakar crown, completed the Santa Rosa-Puerto Madryn stage in one hour 56 minutes and 14 seconds.
‘It was a very difficult stage with all the dust and the bikes,’ said Sainz, who heads the overall standings in his Volkswagen with a total time of 4hrs 34mins and 46secs.
‘At times, we nearly had to stop. I even hit a biker at one point. I hope he's going to be okay.’
Nine-time Dakar Rally champion Stephane Peterhansel (Mitsubishi) ended the stage a minute and 14 seconds behind the Spaniard to claim third spot in the overall standings.
Sunday's third-placed driver, Giniel De Villiers (Volkswagen), is second in the standings, 2 mins 19secs behind Sainz.
Saturday's first-stage winner Nasser Al-Attiyah (BMW) was unable to maintain his form as he ended ninth, slipping to fourth overall.
In motorcycle category, Dutchman Frans Verhoeven was the first rider to cross the line in Puerto Madryn, in the Argentinian province of Chubut, in 2:14.48, only 41secs ahead of two-time Dakar winner and reigning champion Cyril Despres of France.
‘At the start it was quite technical, but then it became quicker,’ said Verhoeven.
‘In the middle, there was a very difficult navigation section in amongst the vegetation and with the dust, it was impossible to see any tyre tracks.
‘I managed to find the route and at one time I saw there were no more tyre tracks in front of me, so I knew I was in the lead.’
Marc Coma, who finished 17th today, still leads the overall standings with 5:13.32, nearly 14 minutes ahead of Verhoeven.
