Peterhansel claims Dakar win

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

The Mitsubishi driver ended the rally more than 27 minutes ahead of team-mate Luc Alphand, who came home 12th across the short 31km special on the banks of the Lac Rose near Dakar, Senegal. The stage was won by Volks-wagen’s Bruno Saby, who beat Thierry Magnaldi by 20 seconds, with Nissan’s Ari Vatanen third.

Peterhansel was already the most successful-ever Dakar competitor and has now notched up his eighth title in 18 events.

He has claimed two car titles as well as six bike championships and is only the second person to win both categories of the event after Hubert Auriol. Cyril Despres took his first two-wheeled title as he ended the stage 16th on his KTM.