Way behind in the general standings, Marc Coma used the last special stage in Chile, measuring 238 km, to add a line to his roll of honour in the form of a 3rd victory on the Dakar 2010. The Catalan, on a KTM, beat Frétigné and Rodrigues. Despres still has a comfortable lead in the general standings. On 4 wheels, the duel between Sainz and Al Attiyah promised to be breath-taking. In the end, the Spaniard had the better day, picking up his first stage victory this year and increasing his lead in the general standings. In the truck race, Vladimir Chagin has become the lone record holder for special stage victories on the Dakar with a 55th triumph.