Stephane Peterhansel of France closes in on 12th Dakar title; only 2 minutes back in overall

Stephane Peterhansel and co-pilot Jean Paul Cottret, both of France, drive their Mini through the dunes during the tenth stage of the Dakar Rally between the cities of Iquique and Antofagasta, Chile, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano) (The Associated Press)

Joan "Nani" Roma, of Spain, and co-pilot Michel Perin, of France, drive their Mini through the dunes during the tenth stage of the Dakar Rally between the cities of Iquique and Antofagasta, Chile, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano) (The Associated Press)

Nasser Al-Attiyah won the 10th stage of the Dakar Rally on Wednesday, but Stephane Peterhansel finished close behind to give himself a chance of winning his 12th Dakar title.

Al-Attiyah of Qatar was 3 minutes, 50 seconds, in front of Peterhansel and 13:45 clear of overall car leader Nani Roma of Spain.

Roma leads the overall by 2:15 ahead of Peterhansel. Al-Attiyah is 46 minutes off the pace with three stages remaining before Saturday's finish in Valparaiso.

In bikes, Joan Barreda Bort of Spain won the stage, but countryman Marc Coma holds a commanding overall lead and should win barring a catastrophe. Coma is 44:10 ahead of Barreda Bort and more than 2 hours in front of No. 3 Jordi Viladoms.

Thursday's 11th stage is from Antofagasta to El Salvador.

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