Sainz racks up fourth stage victory
(China Daily)
Updated: 2006-01-12 07:19

KAYES, Mali: Spain's double world rally champion Carlos Sainz won the 10th stage of the Dakar rally on Tuesday for his fourth victory on his debut appearance in the famous race.

Spanish driver Carlos Sainz and German co-driver Andreas Schulz steer their Volkswagen Touareg through a village during the tenth stage of the Dakar Rally between Kiffa, Mauritania, and Kayes, Mali, Tuesday Jan 10, 2006. [AP]

Sainz completed the 283km timed section from Kiffa, Mauritania in 3hr 28min 34sec, finishing 4min 8sec ahead of compatriot Nani Roma and 4:58 in front of France's two-time defending champion Stephane Peterhansel.

Peterhansel consolidated his lead in the overall standings to put him 40min 4sec ahead of compatriot Luc Alphand, who lost about 30 minutes after hitting a tree, and 1:03.17 in front of third-placed South African Giniel De Villiers.

"It was not an easy stage at all," said Peterhansel. "Between the trees and the rocks it was very slow. We had no problems with the car but it was difficult to find a rhythm."

However, Alphand admitted the game was up as far as the overall title was concerned with the former French skiing ace now trailing by just over 40 minutes and can only hope that Peterhansel has engine failure between now and Sunday's climax.

"As far as victory is concerned that is it," said Alphand. "I am not going to go after Stephane and will just focus on preserving my second place."

However Peterhansel, perhaps mindful of the accident he experienced in 2003 refused to say the title was in the bag for the third successive time.