In this second stage of the 2012 Dakar, the X-raid team had a early start and a long way to go to join the start of the special stage.  After the big fast bends negotiated on firm ground, the entrance is a backdrop of the dunes which ultimately slowed down all of the competitor’s progress.

In the stages end, it was Monster Energy’s Stéphane Peterhansel taking first, Krzysztof Howowczyc took third, Nani Roma fifth, Leonid Novitskiy eight and Ricardo Leal dos Santos taking ninth.  Current overall is Stéphane Peterhansel in first and Krzysztof Howowczyc in third. Stage 3 is next from San Rafael to San Juan.