Peterhansel wins Dakar Rally

Dakar Rally results

Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel kept up his long-time advantage to claim victory in the car category at the Dakar Rally.

Peterhansel became only the second man in history to add the car title to the motorbike category in the race.

Britain's Colin McRae claimed his second stage win of the week in the final stage.

McRae clocked a time of 14 minutes 42 seconds over the 27km course to beat Spain's Josep Maria Servia.

Peterhansel, who has won the motorbike championship six times, emulated compatriot Hubert Auriol in completing the double.

Dakar Rally in pictures

"It has been a long year to wait for this victory," he said. "It's been extremely tough, but I couldn't be happier.

"I had to wait four years for my first win with the bike. For the first win with the car, it took me six.

"This is a completely different feeling."

The motorbike section went to Nani Roma, who became the first Spaniard to win the race.

Peterhansel's win means he becomes the only man to hold seven titles after holding the record with the six-time truck champion Karel Loprais of the Czech Republic.

He won two stages on his way to victory to see off two-time defending champion Hiroshi Masuoka in a Mitsubishi and another two-time winner Jean-Louis Schlesser.

Three-time champion Richard Sainct and Cyril Despres finished second and third overall respectively.

---

Final standings:

Cars:
1. Stephane Peterhansel (France) Mitsubishi 53 hours 47 minutes 37 seconds
2. Hiroshi Masuoka (Japan) Mitsubishi 49:24 behind
3. Jean-Louis Schlesser (France) Schles-Ford 3:00:33
4. Luc Alphand (France) BMW 3:55:58
5. Andrea Mayer (Germany) Mitsubishi 5:46:17

Motorcycles:
1. Nani Roma (Spain) KTM 55:56:28
2. Richard Sainct (France) KTM 12:38 behind
3. Cyril Despres (France) KTM 14:49
4. Alfie Cox (South Africa) KTM 49:06
5. Pal Ullevalseter (Norway) KTM 2:04:33