( CNN ) -- America 's Robby Gordon scored a convincing victory in the 12th stage of the Dakar Rally in Peru Friday . Gordon , driving a Hummer , finished over 15 minutes clear of Russia 's Leonid Novotskiy , in a Mini , with Ginel De Villliers of South Africa ( Toyota ) in third . He recorded a time of two hours 14 minutes and 32 seconds for the 245km timed section of the leg from from Arequipa to Nasca , much of it over sand dunes and awkward terrain . Race leader Stephane Petherhansel of France in his Mini lost time by being stuck in the dunes , but came home sixth . He leads second-placed Nani Roma of Spain , also driving a Mini , by over 20 minutes with two days to go . NASCAR star Gordon is fourth overall , but faces disqualification for an infringement of the rules on Wednesday 's stage which he is appealing . Rally row : Does the Dakar damage the environment ? Peterhansel , who has won the motorcycle section six times , is bidding for a fourth win in the cars and has Roma as his main rival . Third-placed De Villiers is over an hour back in the overall standings . Meanwhile , Spain 's Marc Coma reclaimed the overall lead in the motorcycle section with victory on the stage , leapfrogging France 's Cyril Despres for first place . It was a superb ride from the KTM star , who led home compatriots Joan Barreda Bort , on a Husqvarana , and KTM teammate Jordi Viladoms . Despres finished fourth on the leg and trails the Coma by one minute 35 seconds overall in a titanic battle . The new leader was delighted with his performance on the stage . `` It was a difficult day . I set off four minutes after Cyril ( Despres ) and I managed to catch up with him . `` It 's no way near over , because there 's another big stage tomorrow , '' he told the official race website . Three-time winner Despres sportingly paid tribute to Coma . `` It was a magnificent stage , one of the finest specials that I 've ridden on the Dakar over the last few years , '' he said . `` Against Marc Coma , I 'm doing battle with an excellent rider . He 's quick and clever . ''
American driver Robby Gordon wins 12th stage of World Rally in Senegal . Gordon powered through the field to win by over two minutes . Stephane Peterhansel takes top of overall standings . Marc López of Spain reclaims lead in motorcycle section .