FINLAND'S Ari Vatanen stayed in control of the Granada Dakar rally in Morocco yesterday but only after surviving a ferocious fightback from his rivals.

Vatanen came third after the 776km fourth stage, 540km of which were timed, between Er Rachidia and Foum El Hassan.

The stage went to Philippe Wambergue, with another Frenchman, Pierre Lartigue, one minute 40 seconds behind. Vatanen was another 31 seconds behind, leaving him with a four minute 56 seconds overall lead over Lartigue. All three top finishers yesterday were driving Citroens.