Loeb extends Dakar Rally lead

BUENOS AIRES - Sebastien Loeb extended his overall lead by winning Thursday's fifth stage of the Dakar Rally in high altitude near the Argentina-Bolivia border.

Sebastien Loeb of France drives his Peugeot during the fifth stage Jujuy-Uyuni of the Dakar Rally 2016 near Uyuni, Bolivia, January 7, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

The 41-year-old Frenchman ended the 327km section from Jujuy to Uyuni in three hours, 32 minutes and 34 seconds.

His Peugeot colleagues, Stephane Peterhansel and Carlos Sainz, finished second and third respectively.

The victory extended Loeb's race lead over his compatriot Peterhansel to almost eight minutes. Spaniard Sainz is third, a further six minutes off the pace.

Competing in his first Dakar Rally, nine-time world rally champion Loeb has now won three of the four stages to date after the opening day was cancelled due to bad weather.