Japanese driver Hiroshi Masuoka stretched his overall lead in the Dakar Rally after winning the seventh stage on Wednesday.
Masuoka completed the marathon 701km stage between Tan-Tan in Morocco and Atar in Mauritania in a time of 5:58,35, more than five minutes ahead of French driver Stephane Peterhansel and almost 21 minutes clear of two-time winner Jean-Louis Schlesser.
The Japanese driver now has an 11 minutes and 42 seconds advantage over his Mitsubishi teammate Peterhansel in the overall standings, with Britain’s Colin McRae of Nissan 41 minutes and 29 seconds behind the leader in third place.
Richard Sainct won the motorbike stage for a 1-2-3 for France all on KTMs. He finished in 6:39,33, seven minutes and seven seconds clear of Jean Brucy and eight minutes and 33 seconds ahead of Cyril Despres.
Overnight leader Isidre Esteve Pujol of Spain fell and then broke down at the 650km point and had not crossed the finishing line an hour after the leaders.
Despres now leads by 3,03 from Spain’s Nani Roma (KTM) and by 3,21 over Sainct, who had been eighth overnight. — Sapa-AFP