Sainz extends impressive Dakar start

Carlos Sainz extended his impressive start to the Dakar rally by winning yesterday's fourth stage in Morocco to recapture the overall lead. The twice world rally champion, making his Dakar debut, has won three of the opening four stages of the rally in...

Carlos Sainz extended his impressive start to the Dakar rally by winning yesterday's fourth stage in Morocco to recapture the overall lead.

The twice world rally champion, making his Dakar debut, has won three of the opening four stages of the rally in his Volkswagen Touareg prototype.

The Spaniard clocked the fastest time in the day's 386-km timed section between Er Rachidia and Ouarzazate, the first stretch of this year's race featuring sand dunes.

Sainz was two minutes ahead of Frenchman Thierry Magnaldi's Schlesser-Ford buggy. Mitsubishi driver Luc Alphand of France was third fastest, over three minutes off the pace.

Overall, Sainz leads from two other Volkswagen drivers, Frenchman Bruno Saby and German Jutta Kleinschmidt.

In the motorcycle section, the KTM riders were in a class of their own again, filling the top six places.

Isidre Esteve won the stage ahead of fellow Spaniard Marc Coma, who replaces Frenchman Cyril Despres at the top of the overall standings.

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