Dakar: Alphand all but wins Dakar

Chicherit, in a BMW X3 CC, gave the German manufacturer its first win in this year's event, finishing today's penultimate stage from Tambacounda to Dakar ahead of teammate and former bike rider Alfie Cox.

American Mark Miller in the Volkswagen was third, closing in on Stephane Peterhansel's fourth place overall. Veteran Jean-Louise Schlesser in his Ford-powered buggy and South African Giniel de Villiers completed the top five today.

Volkswagen's de Villiers, second overall, finished ahead of rally leader Alphand, who was only eighth today after two consecutive stage wins.

But the French Mitsubishi driver kept a lead of nearly 18 minutes with just tomorrow's 31 km special left to be completed before he secures his first Dakar title.

Alphand, a former skiing champion who was the world's best downhiller before switching to rallying, will secure Mitsubishi's sixth consecutive Dakar win.

The Frenchman had finished second to teammate Peterhansel in last year's event and fourth in a BMW in 2004.

Despite losing over half an hour in today's stage, Spaniard Nani Roma has secured two Mitsubishis will finish on the podium. Reigning champion Peterhansel is in fourth place, but just three minutes ahead of American Mark Miller in the Volkswagen, a gap which would usually be impossible to erase in the picturesque final stage.

The final day of the rally will see all the competitors drive past the famous Lac Rose before the event comes to an end.

Stage 14 standings:

Pos  Driver                             Make            Time
 1.  Guerlain Chicherit (France)        BMW             2:36:33
 2.  Alfie Cox (South Africa)           BMW             2:39:46
 3.  Mark Miller (United States)        Volkswagen      2:41:40
 4.  Jean-Louis Schlesser (France)      Schlesser-Ford  2:46:18
 5.  Giniel de Villiers (South Africa)  Volkswagen      2:47:05
 6.  Philippe Gache (France)            Buggy           2:48:49
 7.  Thierry Magnaldi (France)          Schlesser-Ford  2:50:29
 8.  Luc Alphand (France)               Mitsubishi      2:51:25
 9.  Eric Vigouroux (France)            Chevrolet       2:53:30
10.  Josep-Maria Servia (Spain)         Schlesser-Ford  2:54:35

Overall standings after stage 14:

Pos  Driver                             Make            Time
 1.  Luc Alphand (France)               Mitsubishi      53:47:32
 2.  Giniel de Villiers (South Africa)  Volkswagen      54:05:25
 3.  Nani Roma (Spain)                  Mitsubishi      55:38:10
 4.  Stephane Peterhansel (France)      Mitsubishi      57:07:56
 5.  Mark Miller (United States)        Volkswagen      57:10:57
 6.  Jean-Louis Schlesser (France)      Schlesser-Ford  57:56:55
 7.  Carlos Sousa (Portugal)            Nissan          59:27:43
 8.  Bruno Saby (France)                Volkswagen      62:02:17
 9.  Guerlain Chicherit (France)        BMW             62:12:45
10.  Thierry Magnaldi (France)          Schlesser-Ford  62:13:29