Japan's Masuoka becomes 24th winner of Dakar Rally
( 2002-01-14 09:02 ) (7 )

Japan's Hiroshi Masuoka won the Dakar Rally on Sunday for the first time, becoming the 24th winner of the event.

Belgian Gregoire de Mevius won Sunday's 16th and final stage, but Masuoka, in a Mitsubishi, completed his overall victory in a time of 46 hours 11 minutes and 30 seconds.

He was more than 22 minutes ahead of German Jutta Kleinschmidt, the first woman to win the Dakar Rally last year.

Kenjiro Shinozuka, another Japanese Mitsubishi driver, finished third.

Italy's Fabrizio Meoni, last year's winner, claimed victory again in the overall motorcycle race ahead of South African Alfie Cox.

Italian Giovani Sala won Sunday's stage.