( CNN ) -- Spanish driver Nani Roma upstaged the pre-race favorites to set the early pace at the Dakar Rally in Argentina on Saturday . The day was marred by the death of a spectator who , along with other spectators , was struck during the race 's first stage . The others were being treated for `` slight injuries , '' according to a statement by race organizers on the event 's Web site . The incident involved German driver Mirco Schultis and Czech partner Ulrich Leardi , the organizers said . Read more about spectator fatality at Dakar Rally . Roma , who was 10th overall last year after being hit with a late time penalty , was the leading car driver in the first stage from Colon to Cordoba . The 37-year-old , who won the motorbike class in 2004 , was two minutes and seven seconds ahead of compatriot and two-time world rally champion Carlos Sainz in a Volkswagen . Roma 's BMW team-mate Stephane Peterhansel , a total nine-time winner of the endurance event in the car and bikes categories , was a further 43 seconds adrift following the 199-kilometer stage . Defending car champion Giniel De Villiers was four minutes and 31 seconds adrift in a Volkswagen in fifth , behind teammate Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar , while NASCAR racer Robby Gordon was sixth in a Hummer . `` In the end we were quite surprised by the time we achieved , '' Roma told the race 's official Web site . `` But I 'm happy . We had a fright with the engine in the middle of the special stage and had to stop to make a few checks . But everything was running okay . I think it was an electrical problem , but since it was working , I preferred not to interfere with anything . `` It 's only just the start . We have n't really had a battle with the VWs yet . There is still a lot of the race to go . In any case , it was a good special stage for warming up . '' David Casteu also upset the favorites as he led the motorbike class by a small three-second margin from fellow Frenchman Cyril Despres , with defending champion Marc Coma 12 seconds back . Riding a 450cc machine in comparison to his rivals ' 690cc KTM bikes , Casteu won a stage in the race for just the second time . `` I was riding at 150 kmph , but the bike held stable and is coping well . I hardly used any petrol . In fact , I had three times too much , '' he said . Poland 's Rafal Sonik headed in the quad class , with fellow Yamaha rider Marcos Patronelli trailing him by one minute and 55 seconds . Russia 's Vladimir Chagin led the truck category by 27 seconds from Ales Loprais of the Czech Republic . The 14-stage race finishes in the province of Buenos Aires on January 16 , having also traveled into neighboring Chile . The event was staged in Africa and Europe until last year , having been canceled in 2008 due to security concerns .
NEW : Day was marred by death of spectator struck by a vehicle . Nani Roma upstages pre-race car favorites to set early pace at BMW in Poland . Spanish driver leads nine -time world rally champion Carlos Sainz by more than two minutes . Roma 's Nani Roma team-mate Stephane Peterhansel , a two -time winner , was third .