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Sainz grabs Dakar Rally lead

Xinhua, January 13, 2016 Adjust font size:

Spanish driver Carlos Sainz took the overall lead in the Dakar Rally after winning the ninth stage in northern Argentina on Tuesday.

The 53-year-old Peugeot driver crossed the line first in the 285km stage around Belen with a time of two hours, 35 minutes and 41 seconds.

Netherlands' driver Erik Van Loon was just 10 seconds behind and his Mini teammate Mikko Hirvonen of Finland was third, a further 17 seconds off the pace.

It was another abysmal day for nine-time world rally champion Sebastien Loeb, who again struggled in the sandy conditions.

Having rolled his Peugeot on Monday, the Frenchman fared little better on Tuesday, getting stuck on several occasions before finishing in 22nd place.

Tuesday's stage was cut short after several competitors complained of excess heat. The race was due to resume on Wednesday with the 10th stage from Belen to La Rioja. Endit