France's Alphand takes overall Dakar lead

Frenchman Luc Alphand captured the overall lead in the Dakar rally by winning yesterday's 12th stage. Alphand, the 1997 Alpine skiing World Cup champion, clocked the fastest time over the 368-km timed section between Mali's capital Bamako and Labe in...

Frenchman Luc Alphand captured the overall lead in the Dakar rally by winning yesterday's 12th stage.

Alphand, the 1997 Alpine skiing World Cup champion, clocked the fastest time over the 368-km timed section between Mali's capital Bamako and Labe in Guinea.

Overnight leader Stephane Peterhansel of France, Alphand's Mitsubishi team-mate, fell back after hitting a tree 278 km into the stage.

In the motorcycle section, the stage was won by Frenchman Cyril Despres ahead of fellow KTM rider Marc Coma of Spain, who retains the overall leadership.

The race ends on Sunday in Senegal.

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