After a difficult stage five where Despres suffered badly with tyre problems, the Frenchman bounced back on stage six to win the day and with it secure the overall victory in the rally.

“My goal leading into this race was to win – I didn’t want to finish second,” confirmed Cyril. “After a couple of mistakes on stage one, I gained the lead after stage two. I’m really happy to have won the race, even after the problems with my tyre on stage five. Overall, it’s been a great race.”

Finishing one minute behind Despres in third, Poland’s Jacub Przgonski (KTM) placed as runner up to the Frenchman at the end of the six-day race.

Spurred on by his dramatic victory on stage five, home favourite Mauricio Gomez (Yamaha) was once again in fine form and ended the final stage on the rally in second. Combining his consistent results throughout the week, Gomez finished on the third step of the podium.

Capping off a strong race for Argentina, the Honda mounted duo of Pablo Rodriguez and Javier Pizzolito rounded out the top five.

Results Stage Six

1, Cyril Despres, France, KTM at 40 minutes 13; 2, Mauricio Gomez, Argentina, Yamaha at 0.51 seconds; 3, Jakub Przgonski, Poland, KTM, at 1.01 minutes; 4, Javier Pizzolito, Argentina, Honda at 2.05; 5, Pablo Rodriguez, Argentina, Honda at 2.48; 6, David Tieppo, Beta, at 3.48; 7, Guiral, Honda, 4.42 8, Salvattiera, Honda at 5.11 9, Taddy Blazusiak, Poland, KTM, at 10.26; 10, Ortiz Yamaha, at 5,21…

Overall results after Stage Six (of six)

1, Despres, 13 hours 56.54; 2, Przgonski 14:01.39; 3, Gomez at 14:49.09; 4, Rodriguez, 15:30.32; 5, Pizzolito, 15:32.46; 6, Israel, at 15:41.26; 7, Ortiz, 17.10.06; 8, Guiral, 17.13.20; 9, Laurent Lazzard, Uruguay, Yamaha, 17.53.04; 10, Jorge Aguilar, KTM, 18.05.30; 19, Taddy Blazusiak, Poland, KTM 24:46.51 (including a DNF in Stage Two)