LIMA, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Toyota's Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah won the opening stage of the Dakar Rally by outpacing defending champion Carlos Sainz on Monday.
Al-Attiyah, who won the event in 2011 and 2015, finished almost two minutes ahead of Spain's Sainz in the 84km timed section between Lima and Pisco.
Sainz's Mini teammate Jakub Przygonski of Poland was a second further back in third.
"It's always nice to win and I'm very happy with the car," Al-Attiyah said, "It' better than last year's model."
Thirteen-time Dakar winner Stephane Peterhansel was seventh and former world rally champion Sebastien Loeb ranked in the 13th place.
Spain's Joan Barreda clinched the motorcycle stage, a minute and 34 seconds ahead of Chilean Pablo Quintanilla.
Tuesday's second stage spans 553km between Pisco and San Juan de Marcona.
