Dot in the desert

Australian Toby Price makes his way in the sixth stage of the Dakar Rally from Al Qaisumah to Ha'il in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

Price took the lead in the motorcycle standings after finishing seventh in the stage.

Spaniard Joan Barreda secured his third stage win as the event reached its halfway point.

Twotime champion Price, on a KTM, moved 2min 16sec clear of Honda's Argentine overnight leader Kevin Benavides.

Stephane Peterhansel retained his lead in the car section after a stage dominated by Spanish XRaid Mini teammate and defending champion Carlos Sainz.

The Frenchman finished fourth. Closest rival Nasser AlAttiyah, of Qatar, was third and trimmed Peterhansel's overall lead to 5min 53sec.

Sainz clawed back 7min 30sec from Peterhansel but was still 40min adrift in third.

Yesterday was a rest day.