Vladimir Vasilyev continues Mini dominance at Dakar Rally

The Russian finished 20 seconds clear of Toyota's Yazeed Alrajhi on the 458km special between Copiapo and Antofagasta to maintain Mini's winning start to the competition.

Vasilyev was made to work hard for his first stage win of the rally, finishing clear of Alrajhi in second and American Robby Gordon in third.

Gordon finished a minute and 25 seconds behind Vasilyev with another Mini - that of standings leader Nasser Al-Attiyah - finishing just outside the podium.

It was not a positive outing for South Africa's Giniel de Villiers, who lost further ground on Al-Attiyah with a sixth-place finish.

The Toyota man could only muster a time of four hours, 25 minutes and two seconds.

Peugeot continue to await their first victory, although Stephane Peterhansel's fifth-place effort takes him into the top nine overall ahead of the sixth stage on Friday.

Competitors will travel the 277 kilometres between Antofagasta and Iquique.