SAN JUAN DE MARCONA, Peru - France's Sebastien Loeb won the second stage of the Dakar Rally on Tuesday by holding off a challenge from Spain's Nani Roma on Peru's coastal desert dunes.

The nine-time world rally champion finished the 342km timed stage from Pisco to San Juan de Marcona in three hours, 26 minutes and 53 seconds in his private Peugeot, just eight seconds ahead of Roma's Mini.

Dutchman Bernhard Ten Brinke was third in his Toyota, a minute and 20 seconds further back.

"Today it all came right and we feel really good about it," said Loeb, who is now fifth in the overall standings, just under two minutes behind leader Giniel de Villiers of South Africa.

"It was a tricky stage, you need to know when to attack and when to play it straight. We didn't make up that much time in the end.

"But we got the right strategy. We raced a great special and made no mistakes. I needed to get into the swing because I have done almost no test drives here and less than 100km since the last edition."

It was a forgettable day for reigning champion Carlos Sainz, who crossed the finish line in eighth place, almost five minutes behind Loeb. Thirteen-time Dakar winner Stephane Peterhansel fared even worse as he took 17th spot, more than 15 minutes off the pace.

Austria's Matthias Walkner won the bike stage as he bids to defend his title on a KTM. American Ricky Brabec was second and his Honda teammate Joan Barreda third. Spain's Barreda leads the overall two-wheel standings, a minute and 31 seconds clear of Walkner.