SAN JUAN, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah claimed his third stage victory of the 2018 Dakar Rally on Thursday by holding off France's defending champion Stephane Peterhansel in the longest timed section of this year's race.
Toyota's Al-Attiyah finished the 523km leg from Fiambala to San Juan in Argentina in five hours 49 minutes and 57 seconds, two minutes and three seconds ahead of Peugeot's Peterhansel. South Africa's Giniel de Villiers was third in his Toyota, four minutes and 33 seconds behind.
Carlos Sainz was ninth in his Peugeot, more than 18 minutes off the pace, but the Spaniard maintained the overall lead with just two days remaining.
Peterhansel is second, almost 45 minutes slower, and Al-Attiyah third, more than an hour off the pace.
Thursday's 12th stage for motorcycles and quad bikes was cancelled due to bad weather.
