Jiang Yaohuan of China's Rely-Double Star Team steered his China-made Rely X5 up five places in the overall standings after the 10th stage, a 176km special from Copiapo in Chile to Chilecito in Argentina.

Jiang, who finished 29th overall last year, was 44th after the ninth stage but a 45th-place performance on Wednesday lifted him up to 39th overall.

Teammate and Dakar debutante Liu Kun, also at the wheel of a Chery Rely X5, completed the 10th stage in 44th place and is 40th overall.

Zhou Yong continued his fine form in the stage with a 13th-place finish. Zhou is 15th overall and, barring an accident, he is poised to rewrite history by a Chinese driver in the world's most grueling rally. The previous best Chinese performance was a 19th overall by the late Xu Lang in 2006. Xu died in an accident in 2008.

Another Chinese driver, Zhou Yuande, finished 17th and is 31st overall.

In motorcycling, Su Wenmin moved from 67th overall to 61st after a 45th-place finish in the 10th stage.

Truck driver Li Yang is 23rd overall after coming home in 28th place on Wednesday.