PARIS -- Former World Cup downhill skier Luc Alphand won the 12th stage of the Dakar Rally on Tuesday as the race restarted after a three-day break to avoid armed bandits in Mali.

The Frenchman, driving a BMW, recouped five minutes from compatriot and overall leader Stephane Peterhansel in the first competitive action since Monday's rest day and the cancellation of the weekend timed stages.

Peterhansel leads Mitsubishi teammate Hiroshi Masuoka by one hour, four minutes and 43 seconds after the 213km special on turning tracks and through tropical forest between Bobo Dioulasso to Bamako in Mali.

Alphand was fourth overall, nearly four hours behind the leading Mitsubishi.

There was controversy also, with Peterhansel complaining that rival Jean-Louis Schlesser had overtaken him in a village but outside a radar zone enforcing a 30 kph speed limit to protect people and animals.

"I find it disappointing that Peterhansel complained," said Schlesser. "The two Mitsubishis are untouchable, they've won the race and therefore go slowly. Should we have to let them win the specials as well?"

Organizers said 77 bikes, 72 cars and 41 trucks were authorized to start the stage.

They included Britain's former world rally champion Colin McRae, who reached the rally bivouac two hours and 40 minutes before the expiry of a deadline after getting stuck in the desert sands and suffering mechanical problems.

"It's a love-hate relationship," the Nissan driver said of his debut in the event. "But it's not put me off. I'd definitely come back again."

The Scot finished the stage 13th, 24 minutes and 14 seconds behind Alphand.

In the motorcycle category, France's Cyril Despres won the stage while Spaniard Nani Roma retained the overall lead on a KTM. Roma leads France's Richard Sainct by 10 minutes and six seconds with five stages remaining.

"It wasn't a nice special," said Roma. "There was a lot of dust and when you ride behind you have to go slowly. It was quite dangerous with many people and animals."

Wednesday's 13th special stage returns to the desert with 478 km between Bamako and Ayoun el Atrouss in Mauritania.