Spanish driver Nani Roma reclaimed the Dakar Rally lead on Thursday as compatriot Marc Coma soared to the top of the motorcycling standings after a brutal fifth stage in Argentina in which temperatures nudged 40 degrees.

Roma, in a Mini, had led after three stages and he reasserted his authority on the gruelling 912km run from Chilecito to San Miguel de Tucuman.

Roma clocked 4hr 27min 01sec on the 527km timed section of the stage ahead of South Africa’s Giniel De Villiers, in a Toyota, and American Robby Gordon’s Hummer.

In the overall standings, he has a lead of 26min 28sec over Qatar’s 2011 champion and Mini teammate Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar.

Carlos Sainz, the 2010 champion who had led overnight, slumped to sixth overall, almost an hour behind fellow Mini driver Roma, after a nightmare day when the Spanish veteran endured a number of navigational errors.

The motorcycling section of the race was shortened as the heat was deemed to be close to danger levels for the riders.

Former champion Coma, on a KTM, was declared the stage winner in a time of 3hr 02min 08sec, with fellow Spaniard Jordi Viladoms second and Kuba Przygonski of Poland third.

“It was another tough day. It was really hot out there. It’s also difficult in terms of navigation as well because of the rain last week which makes it difficult to see anything,” said Coma.

“To get to the end of the stage, I rode for 10km lost in a river bed. In general, it’s tough for everyone. For the race lead, you can lose lots of time at any moment. When you open the way, it’s a bit like playing Russian roulette.”

In the overall standings, Coma has a 41min 10sec lead over Honda’s Joan Barreda, the previous leader.