Complicated stage yesterday in the Rally Dakar.

After struggling through the dunes of Pisco, south of Peru, Cyril Des`prés took first place on a podium dominated by three Frenchmen. Just 48 seconds behind, his teammate Stephane Peterhansel followed. Further back, three seconds behind Peterhansel, was Sebastian Loeb.

Andre Villas-Boas, former football coach who switched the grass for the South American dunes this year, finished this stage in forty-fifth place. The American Bryze Mencies had worse luck. After a tumble coming out of a dune, his Mini was disabled.

More joy for the Spaniards in the two-wheel category. Joan Barreda leads the list, two minutes and 54 seconds ahead of another Frenchman: Adrien Van Beveren.