At 57, Carlos Sainz is poised to win a third Dakar Rally after playing it safe on the penultimate stage on Thursday.

A day after grabbing a giant 18-minute gap on rivals Nasser Al-Attiyah and Stephane Peterhansel, Sainz gave back eight minutes on the sandy 379-kilometer route from Shubaytah back to Haradh.

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Toby Price of Australia rides his KTM motorbike during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

At 57, Carlos Sainz is poised to win a third Dakar Rally after playing it safe on the penultimate stage on Thursday.
Matthias Walkner of Austria rides his KTM motorbike during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

Sainz was content to minimize risks on stage 11 and cruise home. He's set to add to his previous victories in 2010 and 2018, all of them with co-driver Lucas Cruz. They have led since stage three.
Skyler Howes of United States rides his Husqvarna motorbike during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

"We gained some time, but not enough," Peterhansel said. "Now, if Carlos can bring it home, it'll be great for the team."
Driver Yazeed Al Qassimi, of Saudi Arabia, and co-driver Konstantin Zhiltsov, of Russia, race their Toyota during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

"I rode defensively today. I went at 70% to avoid pushing man and machine too hard," Brabec said. "I'm happy to be here, and now I'm mainly thinking of getting over the finish line. Tomorrow could be a great day, I just want to keep this good vibe going.”
Driver Blade Hildebrand, of United States, and co-driver Francois Cazalet, of France, race their Overdrive during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

Driver Blade Hildebrand, of United States, and co-driver Francois Cazalet, of France, race their Overdrive during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)
Ricky Brabec, of the United States, rides his Honda motorbike during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

Ricky Brabec, of the United States, rides his Honda motorbike during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)
Driver Carlos Sainz, of Spain, drinks water during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

Driver Carlos Sainz, of Spain, drinks water during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)
Driver Stephane Peterhansel, of France, checks the road book during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

Driver Stephane Peterhansel, of France, checks the road book during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)
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Toby Price of Australia rides his KTM motorbike during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

At 57, Carlos Sainz is poised to win a third Dakar Rally after playing it safe on the penultimate stage on Thursday.

Matthias Walkner of Austria rides his KTM motorbike during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

Sainz was content to minimize risks on stage 11 and cruise home. He's set to add to his previous victories in 2010 and 2018, all of them with co-driver Lucas Cruz. They have led since stage three.

Skyler Howes of United States rides his Husqvarna motorbike during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

"We gained some time, but not enough," Peterhansel said. "Now, if Carlos can bring it home, it'll be great for the team."

Driver Yazeed Al Qassimi, of Saudi Arabia, and co-driver Konstantin Zhiltsov, of Russia, race their Toyota during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

"I rode defensively today. I went at 70% to avoid pushing man and machine too hard," Brabec said. "I'm happy to be here, and now I'm mainly thinking of getting over the finish line. Tomorrow could be a great day, I just want to keep this good vibe going.”

Driver Blade Hildebrand, of United States, and co-driver Francois Cazalet, of France, race their Overdrive during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

Driver Blade Hildebrand, of United States, and co-driver Francois Cazalet, of France, race their Overdrive during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

Ricky Brabec, of the United States, rides his Honda motorbike during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

Ricky Brabec, of the United States, rides his Honda motorbike during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

Driver Carlos Sainz, of Spain, drinks water during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

Driver Carlos Sainz, of Spain, drinks water during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

Driver Stephane Peterhansel, of France, checks the road book during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

Driver Stephane Peterhansel, of France, checks the road book during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

Peterhansel and Al-Attiyah dueled for more than four hours before Peterhansel prevailed by 10 seconds.

Toby Price of Australia rides his KTM motorbike during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

Toby Price of Australia rides his KTM motorbike during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

Sainz was content to minimize risks on stage 11 and cruise home. He's set to add to his previous victories in 2010 and 2018, all of them with co-driver Lucas Cruz. They have led since stage three.

"I'll keep an eye on the gaps and stay focused for tomorrow," the Spaniard said.

Al-Attiyah, the defending champion 10 minutes behind overall, conceded he was driving for second place, only six seconds ahead of Peterhansel, the 13-time winner and teammate of Sainz.

Matthias Walkner of Austria rides his KTM motorbike during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

Matthias Walkner of Austria rides his KTM motorbike during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

"We gained some time, but not enough," Peterhansel said. "Now, if Carlos can bring it home, it'll be great for the team."

American biker Ricky Brabec is set to win his first Dakar at his fifth attempt.

Brabec let main rival Pablo Quintanilla speed away, and the Chilean held off Matthias Walkner by nine seconds to win his second stage of this Dakar. Quintanilla slashed Brabec's overall lead by 12 minutes down to 14, and that should still be plenty for Brabec to win on Friday in Qiddiya.

Skyler Howes of United States rides his Husqvarna motorbike during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

Skyler Howes of United States rides his Husqvarna motorbike during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

"I rode defensively today. I went at 70% to avoid pushing man and machine too hard," Brabec said. "I'm happy to be here, and now I'm mainly thinking of getting over the finish line. Tomorrow could be a great day, I just want to keep this good vibe going.”

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Driver Yazeed Al Qassimi, of Saudi Arabia, and co-driver Konstantin Zhiltsov, of Russia, race their Toyota during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

Driver Yazeed Al Qassimi, of Saudi Arabia, and co-driver Konstantin Zhiltsov, of Russia, race their Toyota during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

 Driver Blade Hildebrand, of United States, and co-driver Francois Cazalet, of France, race their Overdrive during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

Driver Blade Hildebrand, of United States, and co-driver Francois Cazalet, of France, race their Overdrive during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

 Ricky Brabec, of the United States, rides his Honda motorbike during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

Ricky Brabec, of the United States, rides his Honda motorbike during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)
Driver Carlos Sainz, of Spain, drinks water during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

Driver Carlos Sainz, of Spain, drinks water during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

 Driver Stephane Peterhansel, of France, checks the road book during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

Driver Stephane Peterhansel, of France, checks the road book during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)