Al-Attiyah closes in on Sainz

SAN JUAN, Argentina: Qatar's Nasser Al-Attiyah made large inroads on Volkswagen teammate Carlos Sainz's overall lead in the Dakar Rally on Wednesday following the 11th stage, the 220-kilometer special from Santiago in Chile.

Al-Attiyah, who was leading when disqualified last year, gained more than five minutes on two-time world rally champion Sainz on a day when Frenchman Guerlain Chicherit, driving a BMW, took the stage.

Dutchman Frans Verhoeven had earlier won the motorcycling section.