Buenos Aires - Spaniard Carlos Sainz took the overall lead of the Dakar Rally ahead of Giniel de Villiers of South Africa after winning the second stage on Sunday.

Saturday's first stage winner Nasseer al-Attiyah of Qatar in a BMW X3 of the German X-Raid team slipped back to fourth overall after finishing ninth.

Twice world champion Sainz in a Race Touareg of the Volkswagen team completed the 237-kilometre special stage between Santa Rosa de la Pampa nach Puerto Madryn in 1 hour 56 minutes 14 seconds.

Nine-time winner Stephane Peterhansel of France in a Mitsubishi Racing Lancer was 1 minute 14 second behind to move to third overall. De Villiers (Volkswagen Touareg) was third, at 1:56.

Dutchman Frans Verhoeven riding a KTM won the second stage of the motorcycle rally, but Spanish team-mate Marc Coma retained the overall lead.

Verhoeven posted 2:14:48 for the stage for a 41-second advantage over Cyril Despres (KTM) of France. Compatriot David Fretigne (Yamaha) was third, at 1:04.

KTM rider Coma was down the field in 17th place, 12:27 behind the leader but has a lead of almost 14 minutes over Verhoeven overall.

Monday's third stage runs from Puerto Madryn to Jacobacci in Argentina, a total of 694 kilometres including the stage of 616 kilometres.