NEW : There is still a lot of the race to go . Race was marred by death of driver struck by a vehicle . Bruno Roma upstages pre - race car favorites to set early pace at Dakar Rally in Argentina . Spanish driver leads four - time world rally champion Carlos Sainz by more than two minutes . Roma 's BMW team - mate Stephane Peterhansel , a nine - time winner , was third .
NEW : Race was marred by death of driver struck by a vehicle . Bruno Roma upstages pre - race car favorites to set early pace at Dakar Rally in Argentina . Spanish driver leads four - time world rally champion Carlos Sainz by more than two minutes . Roma 's BMW team - mate Stephane Peterhansel , a nine - time winner , was third .