The 11th stage of the Dakar Rally from the Chilean town of Copiapo to Fiambala in Argentina Wednesday has been cancelled due to poor weather conditions.

The competitors will now drive the 680-kilometre-long route that reaches an altitude of 4,700 metres but will not race their vehicles.

Tuesday's 10th stage, which was won by race leader Carlos Sainz, was also hampered by poor weather and overshadowed by an accident in which Spanish motorcyclist Cristobal Guerrero was seriously injured.

Sainz in his Volkswagen Touareg holds a lead of 24 minutes 54 seconds over American Mark Miller, who is also driving a Touareg.

South African Geniel de Villiers lies in third place, 41:13 minutes behind.

In the motorcycle category KTM driver Marc Coma, who won the rally in 2006, is well on course to win as he leads Frenchman David Fretigne on a Yamaha by 1:24:50 hours.