2009 Dakar Rally winners

The 2009 Dakar Rally in South America, held outside the continent of Africa for the first time, has ended after more than 48 hours of racing more than 5,600 km through Argentina and Chile, over the Andes and through the Atacama Desert.


Volkswagen drivers Giniel De Villiers of South Africa, right, and co-pilot Dirk Von Zitzewitz of Germany stand on their car as they celebrate winning the car category of the Argentina-Chile Dakar Rally 2009 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

"This is an incredible feeling," de Villiers said. "Even though I've ended up winning the Dakar that was not staged in Africa, which is home to me, it was definitely a genuine Dakar Rally, and the toughest edition I've ever contested."

Scenic beauty and tough terrain in the 2009 Dakar Rally. Photo: DPPI. See more 2009 Dakar Rally photos.

De Villiers' victory also marked the first by a diesel-powered car, and was Volkswagen's second title — first since 1980 — ending Mitsubishi rule since 2001. NASCAR driver Robby Gordon of the United States, who's Hummer suffered a puncture on Saturday, was third, 1 hour, 47 minutes behind.

In the motorcycle category Marc Coma of Spain cruised to his second title in three years. Coma led by more than 20 minutes after the opening stage two weeks ago, and extended it to nearly 90 over previous titleholder Cyril Despres of France.

Associated Press.