McRae third in Dakar after penalty waivered

Colin McRae scored his first podium finish (third) in the Dakar Rally today then received news that his speeding penalty had …

Colin McRae scored his first podium finish (third) in the Dakar Rally today then received news that his speeding penalty had been overturned and was now up to third overall.

The Scot had been docked seven minutes 30 seconds last night after speeding through a restricted zone, a decision which dropped the Nissan driver to eighth overall.

But McRae, the 1995 World Rally champion, bounced back today to take third on stage six to move up to sixth, then third after the penalty was overturned.

McRae, driving a Nissan, is still some 16 minutes behind leader Hiroshi Masuoka, who was fastest on stage today.

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Masuoka's fellow Mitsubishi driver Stephane Peterhansel, another to suffer a penalty yesterday, lost the lead of the event after conceding almost eight minutes to Masuoka, who he now trails by 6mins 40secs.

Giniel de Villiers is third overall after finishing second on today's 351-kilometre stage from Ouarzazate to Tan-Tan in Morocco.

On two wheels, Joan Roma took stage glory today to climb into second overall, almost two minutes behind leader Isidre Esteve Pujol, who was second today.

Cyril Despres is third overall to complete a KTM whitewash of the top three.