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Peugeot dominate Dakar Rally fourth stage

Xinhua, January 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

Frenchman Sebastien Loeb recovered from a slow start to clinch third place in stage four of the Dakar Rally on Wednesday and maintain his overall race lead.

The nine-time world rally champion ended the 429km Juy Juy stage in three hours, 43 minutes and nine seconds, less than half a minute behind stage winner and compatriot Stephane Peterhansel.

Spain's Carlos Sainz ensured it was a clean sweep of the top three places for Peugeot by finishing second, 11 seconds behind Peterhansel.

Loeb, who is competing in his first Dakar Rally aged 41, has a lead of almost five minutes in the overall standings, ahead of Peterhansel and Qatar's Nasser Al-Attiyah.

"We had a good stage, with no mistakes and a good pace from the beginning," Peterhansel said.

"We aren't too proud yet because we know we were not able to carry out all the tests we wanted (pre-event) and it's just the third day of racing.

"But our work is paying off. Our engines have been fine-tuned to work much better at altitude this year. That helps us to drive the car, and everything is well-balanced." Endit