Peterhansel extends lead

Rallying: Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel extended his Dakar lead to nearly eight minutes in Saudi Arabia yesterday as the rally mourned the death of former champion Hubert Auriol.

Former race director Auriol, who triumphed on a motorcycle in 1981 and 1983 and in the car category in 1992 when the rally was held in Africa, died after a long illness. He was 68.

Peterhansel finished the 453km seventh stage from Ha'il to Sakaka in second place, behind Toyota's Saudi driver Yazeed Al Rajhi.

In the motorcycle category, defending champion Ricky Brabec won the stage but was eighth overall, 15min behind Honda teammate and new leader Jose Ignacio Cornejo. — Reuters