Peterhansel wins Paris-Dakar stage
PARIS, France (Reuters) -- Stephane Peterhansel of France extended his overall lead in the Dakar Rally on Monday, powering to victory in the 337-km fifth stage between Er Rachidia and Ouarzazate in Morocco.
Peterhansel, driving a Mitsubishi, finished four minutes 35 seconds ahead of teammate Hiroshi Masuoka of Japan, who now rails the Frenchman by more than six minutes overall.
South Africa's Giniel de Villiers, in a Nissan, completed the tough desert stage in third with Britain's Colin McRae, also in a Nissan, placing sixth.
Four-times winner Ari Vatanen of Finland, winner of his 50th career Dakar Rally stage on Sunday, dropped 35 minutes 25 seconds off the pace after his Nissan developed front wheel problems.
Peterhansel leads the rally by six minutes 12 seconds from Masuoka. Belgium's Gregoire De Mevius, in a BMW, is third with team mate Luc Alphand of France fourth.
In the motorcycle section, Spaniard Isidre Esteve Pujol strengthened his overall lead by winning the fifth stage 16 seconds ahead of compatriot Nani Roma.
Tuesday's sixth stage features a 351-km section between Ouarzazate and Tan-Tan.
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