Defending champ Peterhansel wins stage as Alphand takes Dakar lead

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2006

ATAR, Mauritania (AFP) — Two-time defending champion Stephane Peterhansel, driving a Mitsubishi, won the gruelling seventh stage of the Dakar Rally between Zouerat and here.

The Frenchman clocked 5hr 52min 18sec over the 499km timed section, 4min 23sec ahead of teammate and compatriot Luc Alphand, and 11min 49sec clear of Germany's Jutta Kleinschmidt in a Volkswagen.

Alphand however grabbed top spot overall with a 3min 12sec lead over Peterhansel and 5min 58sec ahead of Kleinschmidt.

"It was a very difficult stage with many sand dunes and some camel grass," said Peterhansel.

The Frenchman was fastest through the opening passage control and maintained his momentum through the gruelling latter part of the first all-desert stage of this year's rally to...