Carlos Sainz kept up his perfect start to the Dakar Rally with a second stage win in Portugal.

Stephane Peterhansel claimed his second successive four-wheeled Dakar title after he finished 11th on the 16th and final stage of the event on Sunday.

Colin McRae survived the longest stage of the Dakar Rally with his top-three position intact and admitted he was surprised at the pace of the more experienced competitors.

Colin McRae retained his top-three position in the Dakar Rally today after surviving a scare on the 700-kilometre trek to Mauritania in western Africa.

TWO-TIME defending champion Hiroshi Masuoka of Japan surged into the lead in the Dakar Rally after winning the sixth stage, a 351km special from Ouarzazate to Tan-Tan in Morocco.

Colin McRae scored his first podium finish on the Dakar Rally today to put his speeding penalty to the back of his mind.

Colin McRae survived the longest stage yet of the Dakar Rally in an impressive sixth overall today.

Colin McRae will cram three days work into one flat-out blast through the African desert today as he looks to build on a fine start to the Dakar Rally.

Colin McRae proved the desert sands of Africa hold no fear as he recorded a best-yet stage finish of fourth on the Dakar Rally today.