Sainz takes over lead in Dakar Rally

[totalmotorcycle]

Sainz takes over lead in Dakar Rally
Tuesday, January 9, 2007 - Radio New Zealand - radionz.co.nz


Former world rally champion Carlos Sainz has taken the lead in the Dakar Rally after drivers and riders arrived on African soil following the overnight crossing from Spain.

Volkswagen's South African Giniel de Villiers, last year's overall runner-up, won the third, 205km, stage in Morocco, however Spanish team mate Sainz, who made his Dakar debut last year was second quickest.

The double world champion leads De Villiers by one minute and two seconds with Portugal's Carlos Sousa, the overnight leader, falling back but still anchoring a Volkswagen 1-2-3.

Champion Luc Alphand is eighth overall in his Mitsubishi.

Germany's Jutta Kleinschmidt, the only woman to win what many consider the most dangerous and toughest challenge in world motorsport, suffered a setback when her BMW went into a ditch and caught fire before the day's first checkpoint.

Spaniard Marc Coma won the rough and rocky stage in the motorcycle category to close in on compatriot Isidre Esteve in the overall standings.