The first day of the 2012 Dakar Rally was a tragic one. Jorge Martinez Boero, who was racing in the motorcycle class of the Dakar, died after a crash just a few miles from the finish of the first stage.
Organizers of the Dakar write on the website:
"Argentinean rider Jorge Boero (motorcycle no. 175) was the victim of a fall at km 55 of the special of the first stage between Mar del Plata and Santa Rosa. The rider suffered a cardiac arrest following his fall and was attended five minutes after the accident by the medical staff, who reached the place of the incident by helicopter. Despite their best efforts, the doctors were unable to resuscitate the pilot, who died while he was being taken to hospital."
This was Boero's second Dakar Rally. Boero competed in 2011 but withdrew from competition during the sixth stage.
The Dakar Rally has seen 21 competitors die since its inception in 1979. Another 38, including 20 inspectators, have died during the Dakar.
The website reads: "The organizers of the rally offer their heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones."
