Sainz sights Dakar triumph

San Rafael - Former world champion Carlos Sainz took another huge step towards the 2010 Dakar Rally title on Thursday when he captured the 12th stage.

The Spaniard has opened up a 52sec gap over his Volkswagen teammate Nasser Al-Attiyah following the gruelling 796km run, of which 476km was timed, between San Juan and San Rafael.

Al-Attiyah was second on the day but time is running out for the Qatar driver with the race due to finish in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

Chile's Francisco Lopez won the motorcycling stage.

The Aprilia rider finished ahead of France's David Fretigne on a Yamaha, who was 40 seconds off the pace, with Norway's Pal Ullevalseter, on a KTM, 1min 13sec behind the winner.

Overall leader Cyril Despres of France, on a KTM, stayed in charge of the overall standings, an hour ahead of the Chilean, despite losing more than 17 minutes on the stage.