Second motorcyclist dies in Dakar Rally

French motorcycle rider Eric Aubijoux died of a heart attack after the penultimate stage of the Dakar Rally yesterday, becoming the second fatality in this year's event.

Organisers posted a note of condolence on the Dakar website, saying the 42-year-old from Charente had felt faint and stopped his bike while on his way to the Senegalese capital.

Aubijoux, competing in his sixth Dakar Rally, had been in 18th place overall.

"Victim of a cardiac arrest, he could not be reanimated," the Web site said.

The race has now claimed 50 lives in its 29-year existence, 25 of them competitors.

South African rider Elmer Symons, taking part in his first Dakar as a competitor, died on Jan. 9 after crashing on the fourth day in Morocco. He too had been in 18th place overall at the time.

Meanwhile, France's Stephane Peterhansel was 16km away from celebrating a record ninth Dakar Rally title after arriving in the Senegalese capital yesterday with a seven minute advantage.

Barring any last-minute drama in today's short and undemanding run around the Lac Rose, the Mitsubishi driver will add a third title in the cars category to the six he has won on two wheels.

It should be a Dakar double for France, with Cyril Despres 36 minutes clear of the rest in the motorcycle class after being gifted the lead when Spaniard Marc Coma lost his way and crashed on Friday.

Mindful of Coma's shock exit, neither Frenchman took any risks on Saturday's penultimate 225km stage from Tambacounda to Dakar.

Peterhansel was only the 11th fastest, four minutes slower than closest rival, compatriot, team-mate and defending champion Luc Alphand.

Dakar veteran Jean-Louis Schlesser completed a 1-2-3 for French drivers in the overall standings.

Carlos Sainz, on Volkswagen, won yesterday's stage.