French Despres wins 12th stage on motorbikes

France's Cyril Despres rides his KTM motorcycle during the 12th stage of the South American edition of the Dakar Rally 2009 from Fiambala to La Rioja January 15, 2009. REUTERS/Mariano Paiz (ARGENTINA)

KTM rider Cyril Despres, of France, competes during the 12th stage of the Argentina Dakar Rally 2009 between Fiambala and La Rioja, Argentina, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

KTM rider Cyril Despres, of France, competes during the 12th stage of the Argentina Dakar Rally 2009 between Fiambala and La Rioja, Argentina, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

BUENOS AIRES, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- French Cyril Despres (KTM) won on Thursday the 12th stage on motorbikes of the Dakar Argentina-Chile Rally, held between the Argentine provinces of Catamarca and La Rioja, north of Argentina.

Spaniard Mark Coma (KTM) arrived on 2nd place, however he continues leading the general board with almost 1:30 hours of advantage over Despres.

Despres, who has won the Rally in 2005 and 2007, finished the stage of 200km with chronometer, timing 03:57:37, while Coma arrived at 1 minute 23 seconds behind.

With this victory, Despres has won 19 stages in the history of the Rally, and the third in the Dakar Argentina-Chile Rally.

Later arrived Spaniard Gerard Farres Guell (KTM) at 9'47" behind; French David Fretigne (Yamaha) at 10'28" behind; Dutch Henk Knuiman (KTM) at 11'47" behind and Norwegian Paul Ullevalseter (KTM) at 13'48" behind.