Chile and Argentina will co-host the Dakar Rally in 2010 for the second year running, organisers of the gruelling endurance test confirmed here on Wednesday.

After 29 years in Africa the 2009 Dakar was the first to take place in South America and the success of January's edition sees the race return to the continent.

The 32rd renewal will again start and finish in Buenos Aires but unlike this year will feature five stages in the Acatama desert in Chile.

The 2010 Dakar will run from 2 January to 16 January and cover 5000km of special stages, 1000km less than in 2009.

AFP