French-born Cyril Despres won his third Dakar title aboard the KTM 690m making it ten in a row for the bike manufacturer. His closest competitor and arch rival Marc Coma finished down in 15th after being handed numerous penalties.

Norwegian rider Pal Ullevalseter finished a surprise second, after a steady ride which included just one stage win. Francisco Lopez from Chile finished third on his Aprilia. An emotional Despres said at the prize distribution in Buenos Aires, "All victories are good but this win is especially beautiful." His rival Coma exhibited the same sentiment, saying "This was a tough Dakar but a beautiful Dakar." Indeed, a lot of riders and drivers claimed this was the toughest event ever, and although the event no longer runs through the Sahara to finish in the now-iconic Senegalese town of Dakar, the spirit of competition is tougher than ever in South America.

This year, in accordance to new rules by the Amaury Sports Association which organises the Dakar, all the 690 bikes had to run with air restrictors to enable to comply with the new rules for 450 cc bikes.