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BUENOS AIRES, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- France's defending champion Stephane Peterhansel edged closer to his 13th Dakar Rally title by finishing a close second to compatriot and Peugeot teammate Sebastien Loeb in Friday's penultimate stage.
Nine-time world rally champion Loeb finished the 759km journey from San Juan to Rio Cuarto in Argentina in three hours 21 minutes and 15 seconds, just 18 seconds ahead of Peterhansel.
Argentinian Orlando Terranova was next to finish in his Mini, six minutes and 37 seconds off the pace.
Peterhansel leads Loeb in the overall standings by five minutes and 32 seconds, with countryman and fellow Peugeot driver Cyril Despres third, 32 minutes and 54 seconds behind.
Loeb's last chance to overhaul Peterhansel will be in a 64km special on the route from Rio Cuarto to Buenos Aires on Saturday.
Peterhansel has won the Dakar Rally 12 times, with six titles each in the car and motorcycle categories.
Loeb is aiming for maiden victory, having competed in the gruelling off-road event for the first time last year. Enditem
