BUENOS AIRES, Jan. 7 (UPI) — Polish moterbiker Michal Hernik was found dead near the track during the third stage of the Dakar Rally in Argentina.
Etienne Lavigne, the rally’s director, said there was no obvious cause of death. Hernik showed no obvious injuries and his motorcycle did not appear to be damaged.
He had removed his helmet.
“The circumstances surrounding his death have yet to be determined, as the competitor did not show any external signs of an accident,” a statement said.
Rally organizers launched a search for Hernik when he failed to cross the finish line Tuesday for the stage between San Juan and Chilecito in northern Argentina, using a helicopter to survey the route from the point where the signal from Hernik’s satellite tracker was lost. His body was found about 300 yards from the track.
Hernik, 39, was the fifth person to die in the rally since it moved to South America from Africa in 2009 because of concerns about security.
While Hernik was competing in his first Dakar, he had completed the 2013 Morocco Rally and the 2014 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge.
The Dakar Rally, which starts in Buenos Aires, is described as the most difficult. Hernik was competing with a friend, Pawel Stasiaczek, and the pair said in a statement in their Dakar profiles that they hoped only to finish the race.
“Getting ready (for) Dakar took us two years…In terms of amateurs, our goal will be to complete the rally, whatever the position. That would be our success,” they said. “Our most powerful asset is our friendship and mutual support in difficult moments after heavy days. This is due to our common dream and the adventure we lived to prepare for the Dakar.”
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