China's Dakar Rally debutant Liu Kun moved nine places up in the standings after finishing 45th in the fifth stage, a 423-km run from Calama to Iquique in Chile.

Liu, driving a Chery Rely X5 and representing the Rely-Double Star Rally Team, was 49th overall on Wednesday, but is now 40th overall, the third best Chinese.

But teammate Jiang Yaohuan, also at the wheel of a Chery Rely X5, still had not arrived at the destination, nor had veteran Ma Junkun.

The best Chinese overall after the fifth stage is Zhou Yuande, who, after coming home in 34th place in eight hours, 48 minutes and 48 seconds, moved to 28th overall.

The fastest Chinese driver of the fifth stage was Zhou Yong. Zhou took six hour, 45 minutes and 12 seconds to complete the stage in 20th place. He is now 34th overall.

In motorcycling, Su Wenmin finished in 81st place in eight hours, 11 minutes and 30 seconds and is 82nd overall.

China Daily