Sainz triumphs in closely-fought Dakar

Carlos Sainz has added victory in the blue-riband Dakar Rally to his two World Rally Championship titles.

The Spaniard and co-driver Lucas Cruz (above) narrowly beat Volkswagen team-mate Nasser Al-Attiyah by 2min 12sec. It was the first time two Spaniards have won the automobile category in the endurance event.

Sainz won two of the 14 stages on his way to victory, but never had an insurmountable lead with Al-Attiyah pushing him right to the end.

Sainz first contested the Dakar in 2006 with VW, winning four stages and finishing 11th. In 2009 he won seven stages but crashed out while leading. Since pairing up with Cruz last year Sainz has also won the Rallye de Sertões and the Silk Way Rally.