Sebastien Loeb wins the stage and becomes leader of the overall, followed by his two companions in Peugeot, Stéphane Peterhansel and Cyril Despres
The second part of the marathon stage suffered modifications from Uyuni (Bolivia) to Salta (Argentina). The rise of a river that had to go through the competitors involved the neutralization of the first part of the special of the day in the CP1.
Then the drivers were on their way to the second part of the special situated on the border between Bolivia and Argentina. Due to these modifications the special was reduced in 73 km.
Stéphane Peterhansel opened today’s stage followed by his compatriot and team-mate Sébastien Loeb. After passing through the WP1 “Messier Dakar” leading the stage with Loeb to less than a minute and Cyril Despres to 1’14. Behind them, was closely followed by Mikko Hirvonen and Giniel De Villiers just 3 minutes from the French of Peugeot.
A few kilometers later, the leader of the stage was lost and gave them a few minutes. His team-mate Sebastien Loeb as he took advantage and was first to more than 3 minutes. Hirvonen, De Villiers and Nani Roma could not to follow the Peugeot and fell more than 5 minutes. After passing through the CP1 Loeb was leading the stage followed by Despres Peterhansel, Hirvonen and Orlando Terranova.