Dakar: Alphand crowned champion

Last year's runner-up was already the virtual winner following the end of yesterday's special, when Dakar organisers decided the final 31 km run would be untimed following the tragic deaths of two young boys over the last two days.

The two boys died after being hit by one of the competitors and by a support vehicle during the 13th and 14th stages on Friday and Saturday. Australian rider Andy Caldecott also died during this year's event.

The race has now claimed 48 lives, including eight children, 23 competitors and the founder of the rallye Thierry Sabine, in its 28-year history.

Alphand only needed to complete today's stage from the city center to the beaches of Dakar to be confirmed as champion.

The Mitsubishi driver completed the victorious run, driving past the famous Lac Rose, to give the Japanese manufacturer a record-breaking sixth consecutive win. It was also Mitsubishi's 11th victory in the Dakar.

Alphand, a former world skiing champion, takes over from Dakar legend Stephane Peterhansel as the "King of the Desert".

Peterhansel, an eight-time winner and champion in the last two editions, had to settle for fourth position this year after losing over three hours during Thursday's 12th stage. Peterhansel had been leading the rally on the previous day.

South African Giniel de Villiers was second in the first of the Volkswagens, finishing over 17 minutes behind Alphand.

"Obviously we are delighted about Volkswagen's second place finish and also for Giniel de Villiers and Tina Thorner in this year's Dakar Rally, which was extremely tough, fast and exciting", said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen.

"At the same time we are disappointed that we didn't win. A win was our target. The opportunity and potential were there, but unfortunately they went begging. Congratulations to Mitsubishi, Luc Alphand and Gilles Picard on their victory."

Spaniard Nani Roma, a former winner in the bikes category, completed the podium, coming home third in another Mitsubishi. American Volkswagen driver Mark Miller completed the top five in the standings.

A total of 66 cars finished the event.

Spanish rider Marc Coma won in the motorcycles category with a KTM, while Vladimir Chagin took his fifth victory in a Kamaz truck.

Final results:

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
11.  Carlos Sainz (Spain)               Volkswagen      63:51:18
12.  Philippe Gache (France)            Buggy           67:27:32
13.  Jean-Francois Guinot (France)      Volkswagen      69:16:54
14.  Salvador Servia Costa (Spain)      BMW             70:03:32
15.  Alfie Cox (South Africa)           BMW             72:42:38
16.  Erik Ivar Tollefsen (Norway)       Bowler          73:36:58
17.  Jean-Jacques Ratet (France)        Toyota          73:37:44
18.  Bob ten Harkel (Netherlands)       Bowler          74:06:21
19.  Lang Xu (China)                    Nissan          76:10:36
20.  Christian Lavieille (France)       Nissan          77:07:20