Luc Alphand edged past French compatriot Jean-Pierre Fontenay to win the 14th stage of the Paris-Dakar Rally.

Alphand completed the 274km route through the Egyptian desert just 22 seconds ahead of Mitsubishi's Jean-Pierre Fontenay.

Fellow Mitsubishi driver Stephane Peterhansel finished back in sixth place but still managed to increase his lead over Japan's Hiroshi Masuoka to 27 minutes and 13 seconds.

After the stage had finished Mitsubishi announced that team orders have been issued to ensure that Peterhansel takes overall victory in the rally.

Richard Sainct of France won the motorcycle stage to retain his lead at the top of the standings from Cyril Despres, who finished second.

The rally is due to finish at the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on 19 January.

Stage 14 results

Cars
1. Luc Alphand (France) BMW three hours two minutes 20 seconds
2. Jean-Pierre Fontenay (France) Mitsubishi three hours two minutes 42 seconds
3. Giniel De Villiers (South Africa) Nissan three hours three minutes 26 seconds
4. Ari Vatanen (Finland) Nissan three hours four minutes 25 seconds
5. Miki Biasion (Italy) Mitsubishi three hours five minutes 31 seconds

Overall Leaders:
1. Stephane Peterhansel (France) Mitsubishi 39 hours three minutes 57 seconds
2. Hiroshi Masuoka (Japan) 39 hours 31 minutes 10 seconds
3. Jean-Pierre Fontenay (France) 41 hours 29 minutes 25 seconds
4. Miki Biasion 41 hours 42 minutes 52 seconds
5. Carlos Sousa 41 hours 57 minutes 29 seconds

Motorbikes
1. Richard Sainct (France) three hours 14 seconds
2. Cyril Despres (France) three hours 32 seconds
3. Marc Coma (Spain) three hours three minutes 22 seconds
4. Per-Gunnar Lundmark (Sweden) three hours nine minutes 46 seconds
5. Pal Anders Ullevalseter (Nor) three hours ten minutes nine seconds

Overall Leaders:
1. Richard Sainct (France) 43 hours 20 minutes 35 seconds
2. Cyril Despres (France) 43 hours 31 minutes 55 seconds
3. Fabrizio Meoni (Italy) 43 hours 59 minutes 56 seconds
4. Jean Brucy (France) 44 hours 32 minutes 14 seconds
5. Jean De Azevedo (Brazil) 44 hours 45 minutes 17 seconds