BUENOS AIRES, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Spanish Carlos Sainz of team SMG on Wednesday won 2014 Dakar Rally car's category fourth stage and became leader of the overall ranking in his category.
His compatriot Juan Pedrero (Sherco) won the motorcycle's category special stage for the first time, but Joan Barreda (Honda) still leads the category's overall ranking. Meanwhile, the four-time champion, French Cyril Desperes finished way behind.
The fourth stage was held between San Juan and Chilecito in Argentina. Sainz finished with a time of 5 hours, 20 minutes and 32 seconds (05:20:32), followed by Stephane Peterhensel (Mini) and Qatari Nasser Al-Attiya (Mini).
In the motorcycle's category Pedrero finished with a time of 05:29:13, followed by Chilean Francisco "Chaleco" Lopez (KTM) and Spanish Marc Coma (KTM)
The rally's fifth stage will be held on Thursday between Chilecito (La Rioja province) and Tucuman (same name province), in northern Argentina.
The 2014 Dakar Rally will end on Jan. 18 in Valparaiso, Chile, after 13 days, plus one rest day on Saturday.