JACOBACCI, Argentina: Spanish Volkswagen driver and former world rally champion Carlos Sainz and compatriot Mara Coma are setting the pace after the opening three stages of the Dakar Rally - although Qatar's Nasser Al-Attiyah (BMW) pipped Sainz to Monday's special.

Al-Attiyah nipped in by 35 seconds to take the honors following a 551km special from Puerto Madryn to Jacobacci.

Volkswagen's Sainz nonetheless leads the Qatari by 3 minutes 40 seconds.