Masuoka takes fifth stage of Dakar Rally

REIGNING champion Hiroshi Masuoka won yesterday’s fifth stage of the Dakar Rally in Tunisia to snatch the overall lead of the event from Stephane Peterhansel.

The Japanese driver completed yesterday’s 285-kilometre special stage in two hours 31 minutes 59 seconds to haul in fellow Mitsubishi driver Peterhansel and establish a lead of 55 seconds.

Peterhansel clocked the second quickest time of the day, just over two minutes adrift of Masuoka, as the two pacesetters blazed a trail in the desert, with Kenjiro Shinozuka eight minutes off the pace in third as he moved into the overall podium places.