Stephane Peterhansel claimed victory in the car section of the Dakar Rally today after the Frenchman held on to his long-time advantage in the week-long desert race.
The French Mitsubishi driver had reason for double celebrations as became only the second man in history to triumph in the overall car category and also win the motorbike category in the final stage of the race.
Scotland's Colin McRae clocked a time of 14 minutes 42 seconds over the final 27km course to claim his second stage win of the week ahead of Spain's Josep Maria Servia.
Peterhansel finished the 17th and final stage in 19th place, 4.23 minutes behind McRae in his Nissan.
Peterhansel's closest challenger, team mate Hiroshi Masuoka of Japan, finished second overall but was almost 50 minutes behind the Frenchman. Jean-Louis Schlesser, also of France, was third in his Schles-Ford while former world rally champion McRae, in his debut Dakar, finished well down the final standings in 20th.
In the overall motorbike section, Spaniard Joan Roma extended his overnight lead of five minutes to clinch his first Dakar title. Roma finished in 55 hours, 56 minutes and 28 seconds with Frenchman Richard Sainct, last year's winner, more than 12 minutes behind in second place and France's Ctril Despres taking third.
Leading overall standings
Cars
1. Stephane Peterhansel (France) Mitsubishi 53 hours 47 minutes 37 seconds
2. Hiroshi Masuoka (Japan) Mitsubishi 49:24 behind
3. Jean-Louis Schlesser (France) Schles-Ford 3:00:33
4. Luc Alphand (France) BMW 3:55:58
5. Andrea Mayer (Germany) Mitsubishi 5:46:17
Motorcycles
1. Nani Roma (Spain) KTM 55:56:28
2. Richard Sainct (France) KTM 12:38 behind
3. Cyril Despres (France) KTM 14:49
4. Alfie Cox (South Africa) KTM 49:06
5. Pal Ullevalseter (Norway) KTM 2:04:33