BUENOS AIRES, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Defending champion Cyril Despres clinched the sixth motorcycle stage of Dakar Rally on Thursday.

Cyril Despres of France rides his KTM 690 during the symbolic start of the South American edition of the Dakar 2009 in Buenos Aires January 2, 2009.

    The Frenchman, who was also the 2005 winner, finished 2 minutes 9 seconds ahead of overall leader Marc Coma of Spain with Jordi Viladoms, also of Spain, 5 minutes 15 seconds back.

    In the overall standings, Coma leads Jonah Street of the United States by 40 minutes 29 seconds, with France's David Fretigne, in third, 47 minutes 30 seconds back.