Peterhansel races to fifth Dakar victory

SANTIAGO, Chile - Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel celebrated his 11th overall Dakar Rally victory and a record fifth in the car category when the grueling two-week race that started in Peru concluded in the Chilean capital on Saturday.

In a repeat of last year’s results, Peterhansel’s compatriot Cyril Despres celebrated victory in the motorcycle category, marking his fifth victory in the race that was moved to South America in 2009 due to security concerns.

The 47-year-old Peterhansel, whose last two race wins have come in a Mini following three in a Mitsubishi, has also won six titles in the motorcycle category, with his first triumph coming in 1991.

The winner completed the race in 36 hours, 44 minutes and 46 seconds, almost 45 minutes ahead of South Africa’s Giniel de Villiers. Reuters