Rider critical after Dakar Rally crash

A FRENCH motorcyclist was in a critical condition last night after being found unconscious in remote sand dunes during the Dakar Rally in western Argentina.

Officials at Teodoro J Schestakow Hospital said that Sebastien Coue apparently crashed during the second stage of the rally and was exposed to temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) before he was found.

His body temperature also went above 40C, officials said. It is unclear how long he had been exposed to the extreme heat. “He entered in critical condition,” hospital director Armando Dauverne said. “We don’t know how long he was exposed to the sun. Right now he is in intensive care.”

The Dakar Rally has already claimed three lives this year. Argentine bike rider Jorge Martinez Boero died in a crash in Sunday’s first stage. On the same day, the pilot of an ultralight plane and his son died when the aircraft went down while following the race.

Joan Roma claimed victory in yesterday’s third stage as fellow Mini driver Krzysztof Holowczyc moved ahead in the general standings in the car category.

Hummer driver Robby Gordon, fifth in yesterday’s stage, is second behind Holowczyc, trailing by just 54 seconds.