SHARM EL-SHEIKH (Egypt), Jan 19: Japan’s Hiroshi Masuoka claimed his second Dakar Rally title in succession on Sunday after safely completing the 17th and final stage.

The 42-year-old Mitsubshi driver finished the timed section of the 56-kilometre stage around Sharm El-Sheikh more than eight minutes behind winner Finland’s Ari Vatanen.

But Masuoka comfortably topped the overall standings, one hour 52 minutes and 12 seconds ahead of Jean-Pierre Fontenay of France.

Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel, who had led for most of the race until a calamitous 16th stage when he suffered a radiator leak and then hit a rock, was third.

Another Frenchman, Richard Sainct, won the motorbike section of the rally for the third time, adding to his victories of 1999 and 2000.—Reuters