Defending champion Stephane Peterhansel overcame a 34-secondovernight deficit to storm into the lead of the Dakar Rally yesterday.
Frenchman Peterhansel, a 10-time champion on the world's toughest auto endurance race, took his Mini to victory on the second stage, a 242km timed run in and around Pisco in Peru.
South Africa's Giniel De Villiers, another experienced Dakar campaigner in his Toyota, was second on the day, 2min 35sec behind.
Spain's Joan Barreda Bort, riding a Husqvarna, won the motorcycling stage and also took over the overall lead.
Darryl Curtis finishes 6th to lie 7th overall in the bikes and Sarel van Biljon was the 8th quadbike at the finish
