Bad day for Mitsubishis as Sainz reclaims overall lead

FORMER world champion Carlos Sainz reclaimed the lead of the Dakar Rally as Mitsubishi’s bid for a sixth consecutive win hit the skids.

Volkswagen driver Sainz, on his first Dakar effort, lost the lead with a disappointing debut on African sand on Monday but hit back in style to return to the top of the leaderboard.

He won the 240-mile fourth stage across Morocco from Er Rachidia to Ouarzazate by two minutes from the Ford-powered buggy of Thierry Magnaldi.