Qatar's Nasser Al-Attiyah has made large inroads on Volkswagen teammate Carlos Sainz's overall lead in the Dakar Rally following the 11th stage, the 220km special from Santiago in Chile.
Al-Attiyah, who was leading when disqualified last year, gained over five minutes on two-time world rally champion Sainz on a day when Frenchman Guerlain Chicherit, driving a BMW, took the stage itself.
Dutchman Frans Verhoeven had earlier won the motorcycling section.
Verhoeven edged out American Jonah Street by three seconds while Frenchman Cyril Despres, seventh on the stage over four minutes in arrears, remained comfortably the overall leader with just three stages remaining.
