Eleven-time winner Stephane Peterhansel of France has taken the overall lead in the car division of the Dakar Rally after winning the second stage of the gruelling race.

Peterhansel finished 46 seconds ahead of Spain’s Carlos Sainz and 5:34 in front of Giniel De Villiers of South Africa.

Peterhansel leads the overall car standings by 28 seconds ahead of Sainz and has a 4:10 advantage over Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar.

Peterhansel won the race last year, his fifth victory in the car division to go with six in bikes.

Sam Sunderland of Britain won the bikes stage, with Francisco Lopez of Chile 39 seconds behind.

Joan Barreda Bort of Spain was two minutes back in third.

Barreda Bort held the overall lead, 2:03 in front of Lopez and 2:33 ahead of Sunderland.