Dakar whiz bounces back

STEPHANE Peterhansel won yesterday’s eighth stage of the Dakar Rally from Uyuni to Tupiza in Bolivia, a day after suspension failure dealt the Frenchman a crushing blow to his title hopes.

France’s Peterhansel, 52, bidding for a third successive triumph on four wheels, lost almost two hours to Spaniard Carlos Sainz on Saturday, when he ground to a halt after hitting a stone while trying to overtake another competitor.

But he shook off that setback to finish yesterday’s 498km-run in 5:15. 18sec, less than a minute ahead of French compatriot and Peugeot teammate Cyril Despres.

Qatar’s Nasser al-Attiyah was third for Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa, but 2010 champion Sainz still leads by more than an hour – despite trailing home in fifth place yesterday.

“Winning is always great, but when you know you’re more than an hour adrift and you gain just a few minutes, it’s scant consolation,” Peterhansel said.

Organisers have cancelled today’s ninth stage – from Tupiza to Salta in Argentina – which was set to feature a 242km timed section, due to very bad weather.

“We prefer not to take any risks,” sporting director Marc Coma said.

Last year’s rally was also hit by weather problems and forced organisers to scrap two stages.

Frenchman Antoine Meo won the motorbike special yesterday, but compatriot Adrien van Beveren retained the overall lead.

Meo, riding a KTM, won for the second time in the race, in 5:24.01.

US rider Ricky Brabec was second on a Honda and another KTM rider, Australian Toby Price, was third.

Van Beveren, riding on a Yamaha, remains 22 seconds ahead of Argentine and Honda rider Kevin Benavides in the overall standings. – AFP