Finishing second and third in a tightly grouped trio behind David Casteu, Despres and Coma were just three and 12 seconds behind the leader and now have the advantage that Casteu must now navigate out in the lead in tomorrow's stage.

"Our riders rode a steady race today and had no major problems on a very technical stage that was made to measure for the 450 cc bikes. Marc and Cyril took time to find their rhythm and to get to know and understand the road book. They are in a very good position and tomorrow they'll be able to hit the gas," said KTM's Stefan Huber, who is traveling with the factory-supported riders.

Some distance was trimmed from the first timed stage because of water on the course, an adjustment that resulted in a later start than was originally planned. The bikes rode over a hard pack dirt surface that called for extreme attention and technical skills.

Coma, the winner of the first Dakar held in South America in 2009 said the day had been a good way to get back in business.

"It was quite a technical special stage, and it's a good way to get back to business… In the end the stage was a bit shorter than planned, but seeing how hot it is, it was still quite tough". Despres, the 2009 World Rally Champion and 2008 Dakar winner admitted he had been a little nervous on the first day but was still content with his ride.

"The time I managed wasn't too bad, and more importantly, I didn't have any problems. As for the bike's speed, I reached 166 kmh, compared to last year when we could get up to 185 kmph. You just have to deal with it. We can't make up time on the others for the moment, but we'll claw it back later".

Both Coma and Despres are riding with air restrictors fitted to their KTM 690 Rally bikes to conform to the new Dakar regulation to limit the engine size to 450 cc. But as two former Dakar winners and as dominators of the rally scene, they still can call on an enormous reserve of experience and skill which will serve them well as the rally continues through Argentina and Chile.

Stage One Results 1. David Casteu, France, Sherco 2. Cyril Despres, Andorra, KTM at 3 seconds 3. Marc Coma, Spain, KTM at 12 seconds 4. Jordi Viladoms, Spain, KTM at 1'45 5. Francisco Lopez, Chile, Aprilia at 2'42

KTM factory-supported rider Cyril Despres held on to second overall in day three of the 2010 Dakar as riders negotiated their way from Cordoba to La Rioja in Argentina for the second timed stage of this year's rally. KTM's Marc Coma, third in today's stage, incurred a disappointing penalty.

"Coma was penalized 22 minutes for exceeding the speed limit going though a town in the first stage after a control of the riders' GPS systems last night," said KTM's Stefan Huber who is traveling with the KTM supported riders.

The penalty knocked Coma - winner of the first Dakar in South America last year - down to fourteenth place in the overall standings. Although a setback and a disappointment for the professional Spanish rider there is still a long way to go in the 9000 km journey through Argentina and Chile.

In the second stage, riders faced fast to very fast track alternating with winding, narrow sections but it was the heavy rain both at the start and during the race that made going heavy and very dangerous.

As well as the rain, riders also faced a considerable range in temperatures from 18 degrees C when they set out from Cordoba to 35 degrees C in La Roija. "It was just a matter of not taking risks today. We just had to get through it," Despres said. "It was a mud race that was more suited to Enduro.

The conditions made it very difficult to hold the bikes on the track and of course it was much easier for the riders on the lighter 450 cc bikes," he added.

New regulations that limit the power of bikes to the equivalent of 450 cc means that Coma and Despres must both ride with air restrictors fitted to their KTM bikes. The next stage takes riders up to 2000 meters with a mixture of hard pack and sandy surfaces before they prepare for the ascent into the Andes.

Stage Two Results 1. David Fretagne, France, Yamaha 2. David Casteu, France, Sherco 3. Marc Coma, Spain, KTM 4. Cyril Despres, Andorra, KTM, 5. Luca Manca, Italy, KTM

Overall after Stage Two 1. David Casteu, France, Sherco 2. Cyril Despres, Andorra, KTM (at 2'10) 3. David Fretagne, France, Yamaha 4. Luca Manca, Italy, KTM 5. Jordi Viladoms Spain, KTM 14. Marc Coma, Spain, KTM (22 minutes penalty)