LA RIOJA, Argentina: Qatar's Nasser Al-Attiyah seized control of the Dakar Rally on Sunday as an investigation into the horror crash which claimed the life of a 28-year-old spectator continued.

Al-Attiyah, driving a Volkswagen, won the second stage, a 355km timed run from Cordoba, to take a 1min 19sec overall lead over teammate Carlos Sainz of Spain who was fourth on the day.

It was an early 2010 boost for the Qatari driver whose 2009 race ended in controversy when he was disqualified while leading.