Wolfsburg, Germany - Title holder Giniel de Villiers leads a strong Volkswagen challenge at the 2010 Dakar Rally, the German carmakers announced on Thursday.

The South African de Villiers will again team up with German co-pilot Dirk von Zitzewitz for the January 2-17, 2010, race in Argentina and Chile.

"Volkswagen will enter the 2010 Dakar Rally with a clear aim: We want to repeat our triumph," said VW motorsport boss Kris Nissen.

De Villiers won the 2009 race from another VW Touareg team of Mark Miller of the US and Ralph Pitchford of South Africa, who also be present again.

Former Rally world champion Carlos Sainz, who was forced to retire in leading position in the closing stages in January, has a new co-pilot in Lucas Cruz Senra.

The fourth pilot is Nasser Al-Attiyah, who joins from BMW. The Qatari was disqualified early in the 2009 edition as race leader. His partner is Timo Gottschalk of Germany.