Auto-rally Al-Attiyah wins Dakar stage, heat halts bikes

Last year's winner Nasser Al-Attiyah won Thursday's Dakar Rally 11th stage, held in searing heat which made the going extra tough for the motorbike competitors. Mini driver Al-Attiyah picked up his second stage victory of this year's Dakar, completing the drive from La Rioja to San Juan almost six minutes clear of Sebastien Loeb. Nine-time world rally champion and Dakar debutant Loeb crossed the line in unorthodox fashion, his Peugeot being towed by teammate Cyril Despres after it had packed up a handful of kilometres from the finish. Mikko Hirvonen was third while French Dakar legend Stephane Peterhansel kept the wheels on his bid for a 12th title, finishing fourth behind the wheel of his Peugeot at 8min 05sec. The rally's all-time most successful competitor maintained his lead at the top of the overall standings, 51min55sec ahead of Al-Attiyah.
Source: AFP