Sainz lead slashed in Dakar Rally

Nasser Al-Attiyah kept the pressure on team-mate and defending champion Carlos Sainz by sealing victory in stage seven of the Dakar Rally today.

The Qatari headed a Volkswagen 1-2-3 in the 252-kilometre stage from Arica to Antofagasta, coming home one minute and 20 seconds ahead of Spaniard Sainz, with South African team-mate Giniel de Villiers a further one minute and 36 seconds behind.

It was Al-Attiyah’s second stage win in 2011 and his 10th overall, and moved him one minute and 36 seconds behind leader Sainz in the overall standings.