Now to South America for what is likely the most famous off-road race in the world, the Dakar Rally. Part of the reason for its fame is the sheer danger posed by the treacherous route's chosen to test the drivers and Stage Four would be a reminder of that as defending champion in the bikes, Sam Sunderland, had to be airlifted out of the Peruvian desert.

Here are the bikes as they start out on the 330 kilometer special stage through the Ica desert that makes up the fourth leg.  

And there is British rider Sunderland's bike stationary, which is never a good sign in a race. The 28 year old suffers an injury to his back from a jump near the end of the circuit that began and ended in San Juan de Marcona, Peru. Sunderland would have to be stretchered on to a helicopter and flown back to the camp then withdraw from the race. The latest news is that he has been taken to a hospital in Lima.  

It would be Frenchman Adrian Van Beveren who is able to best negotiate the tricky terrain and claim victory in the stage which sees him surge up the overall standings after the leader Sunderland pulled out.

Here are the standings with Yamaha's Van Beveren ahead of Husqvarna's Pablo Quintanilla by 1 minute and 55 seconds with Honda's Kevin Benavides in third, Matthias Walkner fourth, and Xavier de Soultrait fifth after finishing second in Stage 4.

And there is further drama in the car section. France's Sebastien Loeb would be fastest in stage four after outdueling defending champion and fellow Peugeot teammate Stephane Peterhansel.  

Another Frenchman Cyril Despres, loses an argument with a rock, and his Peugeot suffers severe wheel and suspension damage that leaves him unable to move without outside assistance.  

Qatar's Nasser Al-Attiyah, who had already won two stages, stops twice – once with wheel damage. The Toyota Hilux driver finishes in 11th, meaning he drops down to fourth in the overall standings nearly an hour off the lead held by Peterhansel.

Here's how the standings look. Peterhansel holds a six minute 55 second lead after coming in third in the stage dominated by problems which hit two of the main contenders. Nine-time World Rally Champion Loeb moved up to second while Spaniard Carlos Sainz is third.