Former world rally champion Carlos Sainz took the lead in the Dakar Rally on Monday after drivers and riders arrived on African soil following the overnight crossing from Spain.
Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel clinched his second straight Dakar Rally title in the car category, adding to his six wins in the motorcycle race, when the event finished in Senegal's capital Sunday.
Fabrizio Meoni, winner of the Dakar Rally in 2001 and 2002, died of a heart attack after a crash on Tuesday's 11th stage of the 2005 race, organizers said.
Defending champion Stephane Peterhansel of France won the 483 kilometer low-key 10th stage of the Dakar rally in Mauitania on Monday.
Former champion downhill skier Luc Alphand of France has won the ninth stage of the Dakar Rally.
Defending champion Stephane Peterhansel, driving a Mitsubishi, won stage seven of the Dakar Rally to storm to the top of the standings.
Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel is on the verge of claiming his first Dakar Rally victory on four wheels after safely completing the 191-kilometer penultimate stage.
Stephane Peterhansel stormed into the lead in the Dakar Rally after mechanical problems cost Mitsubishi team mate Hiroshi Masuoka over an hour.
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