Spaniard Sainz Wins Opening Stage Of Dakar Rally

Topics:  Dakar Rally, Carlos Sainz

VOA Breaking News (Voice of America)
2 January 2011 at 8:30 pm

Defending champion Carlos Sainz of Spain has won the first official car stage of the Dakar Rally between Victoria and Cordoba in northern Argentina.

After a ceremonial ride from Buenos Aires to Victoria Saturday, Sainz completed Sunday's 222-kilometer route in two hours,18 minutes and 32 seconds. Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel was second in a BMW, one minute and 31 seconds back, while Qatar's Nasser Al-Attiyah was third after finishing two minutes and 16 seconds behind in his Volkswagen.

After the race was staged in Africa the first 29 times , the rally was moved to Argentina and Chile in 2008 due to security concerns. Monday's second stage will run between Cordoba and San Miguel de Tucuman, with the 9,500 kilometer race ending on January 15.