Loeb reached the overnight station in a time of 04:11:02 to beat his compatriot and 12-time Dakar champion, Stéphane Peterhansel, by 3 minutes and 35 seconds.

Cyril Despres took third in the stage to ensure an all-French stage podium.

South Africa’s Giniel de Villiers completed the stage in fifth in just less than 12 minutes behind the leader.

At this stage it’s a two-horse race between Loeb and Peterhansel, and Loeb feels that the next two days will be very important.

"I wanted to try to make a gap today.

"I feel ok. For sure, I tried really hard, because today was a stage like the ones I like, with some fast roads, whereas tomorrow is more desert-like with dunes.

"I wanted to try to make a gap today, but finally I had a puncture on the last part of the stage, so I lost a few minutes to change the wheel, but, it's ok - it's still the best time.

"It's not bad and we are still in the fight. At the moment the fight seems to be between me and Stéphane, but I think the two next days will be very, very tough and anything can happen there, so we will see.

"We'll try to continue to work well and we'll see where we are. Tomorrow will be a hard job. Daniel has a lot of work to do tonight to try and prepare as well as possible and as for myself, I will do my best".

Wednesday's 9th stage runs for 977km between Salta and Chilecito.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport