Defending champion Cyril Despres clinched the sixth motorcycle stage of Dakar Rally on Thursday.

The Frenchman, who was also the 2005 winner, finished 2 minutes 9 seconds ahead of overall leader Marc Coma of Spain with Jordi Viladoms, also of Spain, 5 minutes 15 seconds back.

In the overall standings, Coma leads Jonah Street of the United States by 40 minutes 29 seconds, with France's David Fretigne, in third, 47 minutes 30 seconds back.

(Xinhua News Agency January 9, 2009)