( CNN ) -- France 's Stephane Peterhansel clinched the 13th and penultimate stage of the Dakar Rally on Saturday leaving him on the brink of claiming a 10th title in the event . Driving a Mini , Peterhansel completed the 275 km timed stage from Nasca to Pisco in Peru ahead of South Africa 's Ginel De Villiers driving a Toyota . Peterhansel , who has won the car event three times and the motorcycle event six times , has a lead of close to 43 minutes over Spain 's Nani Roma . Does Dakar Rally damage the environment ? `` It was not a stage we were trying to win . First and foremost , we wanted to avoid falling into traps , especially after getting stuck in the sand yesterday , '' Peterhansel said , AFP reported . `` There is still a 30-kilometer special to go and we could have a technical problem . I am still holding my breath this evening . I will breathe again once I am on the podium , '' he added . Defiant Gordon wins 12th stage . Compatriot Cyril Despres looks almost certain to win the motorcycle competition as he takes an 11-minute lead over nearest rival Marc Coma into Sunday 's final stage in Lima after the Spaniard labored with gearbox problems . Portugal 's Helder Rodrigues , riding a Yamaha , won the penultimate stage of the motorcycle race finishing 47 seconds ahead of Despres . `` Today 's stage was psychologically very tough , '' Despres said , AFP reported . `` I always wait until the last day to enjoy things . I have seen so many things happen at the Dakar , and even more today . I want to stay calm and enjoy things a bit more , '' he added .
Stephane Peterhansel on brink of a 10th Dakar Rally victory . The Frenchman is in second place with just over 100 miles to go and has been leading the race for most of the day. Compatriot Cyril Despres takes an 11-minute lead into final day of motorcycle event .