体坛英语新闻：Al-Attiyah extends Dakar Rally lead

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- Nasser Al-Attiyah extended his lead in the Dakar Rally on Friday by winning the 688km sixth stage.

The 44-year-old Qatar Rally Team driver finished 37 seconds ahead of Giniel de Villiers of Toyota Imperial Team South Africa.

"We did a good job and I'm quite happy to win the stage. It's a good day for us again," Al-Attiyah said.

"We pushed a little bit in the dunes but we were really careful from the beginning because it was really not easy. The route today was just only really for buggies. Our time was really good and I'm quite happy."

Friday's result in the Antofagasta-Iquique leg along Chile's northern coastline was Al-Attiyah's third stage win.

He leads De Villiers in the overall standings by 11 minutes and 12 seconds while Yazeed Al-Rajhi (Yazeed Racing) is third.

Saturday's seventh stage was due to be held from Iquique to the Bolivian city of Uyuni.

"We enjoyed our day and we just have a target and we just have to keep to our target," Al-Attiyah said.

"Tomorrow (Saturday) is marathon day, but it's not the biggest stage.

"If we open the road it's not a problem because at least we can have another marathon day in good position and we can push a little bit, because on the last part over 60 kilometers on the second marathon day there will be lots of dunes."