CORDOBA, Argentina \u2014 Ten-time Dakar Rally champion Stephane Peterhansel took a commanding lead in the car category after finishing second in Monday\u2019s ninth stage.<\/p>\n
Peterhansel was beaten by Spain\u2019s Joan Roma in the stage, but increased his overall lead to 49 minutes, 31 seconds over Giniel De Villiers of South Africa.<\/p>\n
Nasser Al-Attiyah, who trailed Peterhansel\u2019s Mini by only 3:14 after eight stages, suffered several mechanical breakdowns \u2014 including one just a few miles from the finish \u2014 that took him out of contention.<\/p>\n
In the motorbikes, Ruben Faria of Portugal finished fourth on the stage but took the overall lead, 5:23 ahead of defending champion and KTM teammate Cyril Despres of France.<\/p>\n
Despres won the stage, 4:03 ahead of Joan Barreda Bort of Spain and 5:14 in front of Alessandro Botturi of Italy. Faria was 7:47 behind.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew that it would be physically demanding, that I\u2019d have to give it my all,\u201d Despres said. \u201cI\u2019ve got blisters on my feet, and my hands are sore.<\/p>\n
\u201cRuben (Faria) and I are racing well for the team. He\u2019s in good shape and that\u2019s the most important thing right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
David Casteu of France, the motorbike leader after eight stages, slipped out of contention with mechanical problems and a fall in which he injured his right shoulder. He finished more than two hours behind.<\/p>\n
Sunday was a rest day with the rally ending next Sunday in Santiago, Chile.<\/p>\n