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Boero loses life on first stage of 2012 rally raid

Nancy Knapp Schilke, Dakar Correspondent

The competitors along the beach

The competitors along the beach

KTM Images

Sad news from Dakar today as Argentinean rider Jorge Martinez Boero suffered cardiac arrest due to a crash 55 km into the first stage; 2 km short of finishing. Boero was in a straight line of ground, at around of 140 Km/h. The accident happened when he passed over a hillock in the road and lost control of his bike, flying three or four metres.

The rider fell off his BETA RR 450 Modele 2011 in his second attempt of the demanding Dakar challenge. Dakar has in place medical teams to assist a fallen competitor and they arrived immediately to give assistance as they made attempts to resuscitate at the scene. The native of Buenos Aires died en route to a local hospital at the age of 38.

Stage 1 started at Mar del Plata with the finish in Santa Rosa. The first five stages take place in Argentina.

Prior to the start of this year’s Dakar, Boero commented about having to withdraw from the 2011 edition on the sixth stage: "The truth is that this first Dakar I loved. I didn’t suffer in the race and I am happy I will be able to continue this year. I only want to be able to finish each day.”

Boero's death was the 21st involving a competitor during the event. Boero, like his rivals, prepared for Dakar in many ways including off-road and rally raid events during the year. The competitors know the risk they take but one cannot predict what might happen during the race.

Around 4:50pm EST (USA), the latest news out of Argentina concerns the autopsy report which states that Boero died from a severe thorax traumatism.

Motorsport.com extends our condolences to the family and friends of Jorge Boero.

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