Peterhansel clinches 10th Dakar crown

LIMA — There was double French delight on the Dakar Rally yesterday as Stephane Peterhansel won an unprecedented 10th title by winning the cars section and Cyril Despres wrapped up a tight motorbikes category.

Peterhansel, driving a Mini, was previously a threetime car winner and six-time motorcycle champion of the gruelling rally but it was his first victory in the race since it moved to South America in 2009. The Frenchman, who went into the final stage with a 43-minute lead over closest rival Nani Roma of Spain, finished 10th on the 29km special, 3:12 off American Robby Gordon's pace.

Peterhansel covered the 8,400km-long rally, of which more than half were timed specials, between Mar Del Plata in Argentina and Lima in 38:54:46, with team-mate Roma at 41:56, and South African Toyota driver Ginel De Villiers at 1.13:25.

"When you think of how hard it is to win a Dakar, it's incredible that I've been able to win 10 of them," said Peterhansel.

"It's been a long time, I've been waiting for five years to win again! To take the victory in South America is a huge relief, it ranks among my best triumphs.

"Moreover, the race was very close during the first week and there was always a lot of pressure."

The motorbike category was won by Despres, who came through the stage unscathed to finish ahead of Marc Coma, whose wrong turn on Saturday's stage handed his rival a clear run to the title. It was a fourth title for Despres, riding a KTM, after the stage won by Dutchman Pal Ullevalseter.

Despres clocked 43:28:11 in the overall timings, 53:20 ahead of Coma, with Yamaha rider Helder Rodrigues of Portugal in third at 1.11:17.