Carlos Sainz won the fifth stage of the Dakar Rally on Wednesday to keep the overall lead.

The Spanish driver completed the 325-kilometer (201.5-mile) stage from Ouarzazate to Tan-Tan in Morocco in 3 hours, 36 minutes, 39 seconds.

Sainz finished 30 seconds ahead of former Dakar winner Stephane Peterhansel, driving a Mitsubishi. South Africa's Giniel de Villiers was third for Volkswagen, 1:41 behind Sainz.

With 10 stages left, Volkswagen holds the top three spots. Former world rally champion Sainz is 3:36 ahead of second-place de Villiers and Portugal's Carlos Sousa is third, more than 11 minutes behind Sainz.

On Thursday, competitors head into Mauritania on a 394-kilometer (244.3-mile) route from Tan-Tan to Zouerat.

Motorbike riders held a minute's silence late Tuesday after the death earlier that day of Elmer Symons.

The 29-year-old South African was killed on the fourth stage from Er Rachidia to Ouarzazate in Morocco.