France enjoyed a double coup at the Dakar Rally Sunday, with Cyril Despres winning the motorbikes section and Stéphane Peterhansel emerging victorious in the cars category, the latter marking his 10th Dakar crown.
Qatar’s Nasser Al-Attiyah won the seventh stage of the Dakar Rally in Chile Saturday. France’s Stephane Peterhansel kept the overall lead, while defending champion Marc Coma of Spain won the stage in motorbikes. The rally ends Jan. 15 in Lima, Peru.
Nine-time champion Stephane Peterhansel has moved into first place in the Dakar Rally with a victory in Wednesday's fourth stage. The French driver, racing in a Mini, completed the 326-kilometre special stage in 3 hours, 49 minutes, 33 seconds.
Joan Roma of Spain won the third stage of the Dakar Rally while Krzysztof Holowczyc of Poland led overall on Tuesday. Frenchman Cyril Despres won the motorcycle stage to claimed first place overall.
Qatar's defending Dakar Rally car champion Nasser Al-Attiyah took Monday's second stage despite engine trouble that set him back 10 minutes on Sunday. Motorcycling champion Marc Coma had earlier won his 17th career stage.
Argentinian motorcyclist Jorge Martinez Boero was killed Sunday in an accident shortly after the launch of South America's Dakar Rally. The 15-day race will end in Peru.
Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar wins is first Dakar Rally title becoming the
first Arab champion of the world's toughest rally while Spanish rider Marc Coma wins motorbike race for the third time.
Qatar's versatile Nasser al-Attiyah clinched the Dakar Rally Saturday, ending a two year unlucky streak at the event, while defending champion Carlos Sainz had the consolation of taking the 13th and final stage of the race.
Spain’s Carlos Sainz and France's Cyril Desprès triumphed in the car and motorbike titles, respectively. It is the third title for the Frenchman, and a first for the Spaniard.
Spain’s Sainz and Qatar’s Al-Attiyah look set for a fight to the end. The Spaniard is ahead by 3 minutes before the final stage on Saturday. Meanwhile, France’s Cyril Despres leads the motorcycle race with Noray’s Ullevalseter back in second spot.
