DPA
La Rioja (Argentina), Jan 4 (DPA) Qatari driver Nasser al-Attiyah took the lead in the automotive portion of the Dakar rally Sunday.Al-Attiyah at the wheel of a Volkswagen Touareg was 1:19 minutes ahead of his nearest competitor after the 355-km second stage from Cordoba to La Rioja, Argentina.

Spaniard Carlos Sainz was in second place, followed by French record holder Stephane Petershansel in a BMX X3.

The first stage leader Juan Roma fell behind after a double somersault early in the stage.

Frenchman David Casteu took the overall lead in the motorcycle portion of the race, 2:10 minutes ahead of countryman Cyril Despres.

Vladimir Chagin of Russia took at 2:47 lead among the trucks.

The 14-stage, 9,000-km event through Argentina and Chile, considered the toughest road race in the world, is slated to conclude Jan 17 in Buenos Aires. It is the 32nd Dakar Rally.