10-time winner Stephane Peterhansel takes commanding lead in Dakar Rally

Stephane Peterhansel and Jean Paul Cottret, both of France, race their mini in the 9th stage of the 2013 Dakar Rally from Tucuman to Cordoba, Argentina, Monday, Jan. 14, 2013. The race finishes in Santiago, Chile, on Jan. 20. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano) (The Associated Press)

Spectators on horses watch as Leonid Novistkiy and co-driver Konstantin Zhiltsov, both of Russia, race their mini in the 9th stage of the 2013 Dakar Rally from Tucuman to Cordoba, Argentina, Monday, Jan. 14, 2013. The race finishes in Santiago, Chile, on Jan. 20. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano) (The Associated Press)

CORDOBA, Argentina – Ten-time Dakar Rally champion Stephane Peterhansel took a commanding lead in the car category after finishing second in Monday's ninth stage.

Peterhansel was beaten by Spain's Joan Roma in the stage, but increased his overall lead to 49 minutes, 31 seconds over Giniel Devilliers of South Africa.

Nasser Al-Attiyah, who trailed Peterhansel's Mini by only 3:14 after eight stages, suffered several mechanical breakdowns — including one just a few miles from the finish — that took him out of contention.

In motorbikes, Ruben Faria of Portugal finished fourth in the stage but took the overall lead, 5:23 ahead of defending champion Cyril Despres of France.