Carlos Sainz clawed back some time on closet rival and team-mate Nasser Al-Attiyah in the ninth stage of the Dakar Rally.

The Spaniard won the 235km special around Copiapo in northern Chile ahead of his fellow Volkswagen driver by 1:56 but the Quatari man still leads in the overall standings by 3:18.

"I'm happy with my day, especially since dunes, desert and off-track terrain aren't my favourite type," said Sainz.

"We drove a good special. After 100km we caught up with then overtook Nasser. He had a puncture, but afterwards he clawed back a bit of time on us. Tomorrow it will be me opening the way and the roles will be reversed."

Giniel de Villiers, Stephane Peterhansel and Mark Miller came next to hold on to their respective third, fourth and fifth places in the overall standings.

Eurosport