Peterhansel won Dakar for a record-10th time and Despres added his fourth title.

"This is without a shadow of a doubt the toughest Dakar I've ever raced in," Despres said. "It was difficult physically, but even more psychologically. Challenging yourself every morning and fighting on the course takes its toll on your mind." The final special stage was only 29 kilometers (18 miles) long and both leaders took it easy on the last day. Peterhansel in the cars category and Despres in the motorbikes nearly wrapped up the title on Saturday, needing only to avoid a major catastrophe to climb the podium.

Despres saluted fellow Frenchman Peterhansel.

"There's only one Stephane Peterhansel in the world," Despres said.

The 46-year-old Peterhansel has won Dakar six times on motorbikes, and now four times in the car category. His last victory was in 2007 in cars and he has been racing Dakar since 1988.

Despres was unsure about making his own switch.

"I don't know if I'm good at driving cars, I've never tried," Despres said.

This is the fourth straight year the Dakar has been run in South America.

The last three years it was run in a loop course from Buenos Aires to Chile, and back to the Argentine capital. This time the rally began in Mar del Plata, Argentina, skipped Buenos Aires, and worked it way across Argentina, crossed the Andes to Chile, and then headed north through the Atacama desert into Peru.

American Robby Gordon in a Hummer won the final stage with Peterhansel in a Mini finishing off the pace — 3 minutes, 12 seconds behind.

In the overall standings, Peterhansel wrapped up the rally by finishing 41:56 ahead of Mini teammate Joan Roma of Spain, and 1:13:45 in front of Giniel Devilliers of South Africa in a Toyota.

In motorbikes, Pal Anders Ullevalseter of Norway won the final stage. Despres was 3:51 behind and, like Peterhansel, needed only to play it safe to guarantee victory.

Despres finished 53:20 ahead of KTM teammate Marc Coma of Spain in the overall. Helder Rodrigues of Portugal, riding a Yamaha, was third, 1:11:17 behind the Frenchman.