Technical hitches hamper McNish

McNish behind the wheel of an Audi R10

Triple American Le Mans Series champion Allan McNish finished in fifth place in the European Le Mans race in Barcelona.

McNish's progress was hampered by a puncture and broken alternator belt in his Audi R10, two hours into the race in which he was leading.

The repairs cost McNish and co-driver Dindo Capello seven laps, a deficit they were unable to recover.

McNish said: "We are not quite fast enough and we have reliability issues. We'll work hard before the next race."

Nicolas Minassian and Marc Gene took the honours in their Peugeot, with Mike Rockenfeller and Alexandre Premat in their Audi in second.