Dakar Rally hit by safety concerns
NEMA, Mauritania -- Hiroshi Masuoka claimed the ninth stage of the Dakar Rally but the day's racing was overshadowed by security concerns as race organizers canceled the weekend's stages.
The epic race, which starts in France, had been due to reach eastern Mali, but organizers said they had received reports that armed gangs could be in the area.
Competitors will instead head for Bamako, the Malian capital, before continuing to Bobo Dioulasso for a rest day on Monday.
"These two stages have been neutralized and will become liaisons," organizers said in a statement.
Japan's Masuoka, seeking a third straight win in the race, won Friday's 355-kilometer run from Tidjikja to Nema in nine hours, three minutes and 43 seconds.
But Masuoka's Mitsubishi teammate Stephane Peterhansel of France retained the overall lead by one hour and four minutes.
