LA PAZ, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel took the overall lead in the Dakar Rally by winning Friday's sixth stage in Bolivia.

The 50-year-old, who has won the race a record 11 times, ended the 543km loop of the Uyuni salt flats in five hours, one minute and seven seconds.

His Peugeot teammate Carlos Sainz of Spain was 17 seconds off the pace in second place.

Nine times world rally champion Sebastian Loeb completed the podium eight minutes and 15 second behind.

Peterhansel leads the overall standings, 27 seconds ahead of Loeb and almost six minutes ahead of third-placed Sainz.