ER RACHIDIA, Morocco -- Giniel de Villiers won the third
stage of the Dakar Rally on Monday, while Carlos Sainz took the
overall lead.
De Villiers, a South African driving a Volkswagen, finished in 2
hours, 46 minutes, 12 seconds on the 156-mile timed section of the
402-mile trek from Nador to Er Rachidia.
Sainz, also driving a Volkswagen, was 25 seconds behind. The
Spaniard won the second stage Sunday, from Portimao, Portugal, to
Malaga, Spain.
Stephane Peterhansel of France, in a Mitsubishi, finished third
Monday, 3:18 behind De Villiers.
Overall, Sainz leads De Villiers by 1:02. Carlos Sousa of
Portugal, in a Volkswagen, is 4:26 behind.
This year's Dakar Rally has a record number of competitors with
525 teams, including 250 motorcycles, 187 cars and 88 trucks
contesting the 4,918-mile race through Europe and Africa. The race
finishes in Dakar, Senegal, on Jan. 20.