Little separates Mitsubishi team-mates Hiroshi Masuoka and Stephane Peterhansel as they tussle for the lead

1997 winner Kenjiro Shinozuka makes a steady recovery after being badly injured during stage eight

The top four in the motorbikes ride a close race, though the difficult conditions cause burnouts

French driver Simon Droux lies prone on the desert as a bad fall on the rocky terrain injures his leg

Motorbike racers create a beautiful scene as vapour trails illuminate the dusky sunset in the Libyan desert

Hiroshi Masuoka wins stage eight but remains over six minutes behind overall leader Peterhansel