France on top with Despres and legend Peterhansel

Lima ( AFP) There was double French delight in the Dakar Rally yesterday as Stephane Peterhansel won an unprecedented 10th title by winning the cars section and Cyril Despres wrapped up a tight motorcycles category.

Peterhansel, driving a Mini, was previously a three-time car winner and six-time motorcycle champion of the gruelling rally but it was his f irst victory in the race since it moved to South America in 2009.

The Frenchman, who went into the f inal 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 hours, 54 minutes and 46 seconds, 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.

Among best triumphs

“It’s been a long time, I’ve been waiting for f ive 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 f irst week and there was always a lot of pressure.”

The Frenchman added: “I don’t know what I could do to go one better. Beating this record is going to be difficult... for the others.

The motorbike category was won by Despres, who came through the stage unscathed to f inish 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 43hr 28min 11sec in the overall timings, 53:20 ahead of Coma.