De Villiers' third place was enough to lift him into the lead

The South African finished third on Thursday's 444-km stage and holds a lead of 22 seconds over his Volkswagen team-mate Carlos Sainz.

Thierry Magnaldi took the stage win, travelling from Tan Tan to Zouerat in three hours 22 minutes and 54 seconds.

Chile's Carlo De Gavardo was the first of the motorbikes home in 4.00:32 but Spain's Marc Coma retained the lead.

But there was bad news for defending bikes champion Cyril Despres, who dislocated his collarbone en route.

"I don't know exactly how it happened because I lost consciousness," Despres said.

"I clenched my teeth for the last 150 kilometres.

"I want to carry on. I'm not thinking about victory but I'll try to make the start line on Friday to see if I can help my team and see if the pain is bearable."

Results from stage six between Tan-Tan to Zouerat
Cars:
1. Thierry Magnaldi Fra, Schles-Ford-Raid, 3 hours, 22 mins, 54 secs.
2. Jean-Louis Schlesser (Fra) Schles-Ford-Raid at 2:55
3. Giniel de Villiers (SA) Volkswagen at 3:46
4. Jutta Kleinschmidt (Ger) Volkswagen at 5:13
5. Luc Alphand (Fra) Mitsubishi at 6:02

Bikes:
1 Carlo De Gavardo (Chi) KTM 4hrs 00mins 32secs
2 Giovanni Sala (Ita) KTM at 3:23
3 Isidre Esteve Pujol (Spa) KTM at 3:52
4 Pal Anders Ullevalseter (Nor) KTM at 5:31
5 Marc Coma (Spa) KTM at 5:55

Overall standings
Cars:
1. Giniel de Villiers (SA) Volkswagen 16 hours 33 mins 58 secs
2. Carlos Sainz (Spa) Volkswagen at 22
3. Jutta Kleinschmidt (Ger) Volkswagen at 34
4. Jean-Louis Schlesser (Fra) Schles-Ford-Raid at 1.02
5. Luc Alphand (Fra) Mitsubishi 2.02