With continual rain ensuring weather conditions would be heavy going, competitors faced a shorter than planned but extremely tough and demanding stage two.

With the benefit of starting stage two second on the road, KTM’s Cyril Despres took advantage of the wheel tracks left by Chile’s Francisco Lopez (KTM) to win the stage by almost two minutes. Although hampered by numerous falls throughout the day, Despres now becomes the new overall leader of the rally.

Putting in a strong performance in the slippery conditions, Poland’s Jacub Przyigosnki (KTM) continues to be a strong threat in the rally and now moves up to second overall.

Enduring a difficult stage two, initial leader Lopez placed six minutes behind Despres and drops to third overall in the standings.

Fifth on stage one, Argentina’s Mauricio Gomez (Yamaha) moves up to fourth while Jeremy Israel (Honda) holds fifth.

KTM’s Taddy Blazusiak became the shock retirement of the day when he crashed and injured his shoulder.

Stage Two: San Vicente – Santa Ana

1. Cyril Despres (KTM) 2:49.40; 2. Jacub Pryigonski (KTM) 2:51.30; 3. Francisco Lopez (KTM) 2:56:06; 4. Mauricio Gomez (Yamaha) 3:20.42; 5. Javier Pizzolito (Honda) 3:22.14; 6. Pablo Rodriguez (Honda) 3:24.57; 7. Jeremias Israel (Honda) 3:31.11; 8. Adrian Sansaloni (Beta) 4:06.20; 9. Demian Guiral (Honda) 4:09.04; 10. Patricio Cabera (Kawasaki) 4:10.28…

Overall Classification (after stage 2)

1. Cyril Despres (KTM) 7:03.59; 2. Jacub Przyigonski (KTM) 7:08.12; 3. Francisco Lopez (KTM) 7:08.36; 4. Mauricio Gomez (Yamaha) 7:47.50; 5. Jeremias Israel (Honda) 8:02.10…