A Spanish rider died in a crash during the second stage of Dakar 2024

Spanish motorcyclist Carles Falcon died this Monday, unable to survive due to injuries sustained in a fall during the second stage of the 2024 Dakar.

“Carles left us. He was a smiling man, always active, he passionately enjoyed everything he did, especially motorcycles,” the statement quoted El Español as saying.

The Spaniard’s team explains that the damage caused by the accident was “irreversible.” Carles suffered cerebral edema and broke a vertebra in a fall.

“He died fulfilling a dream, racing in Dakar. He enjoyed life, he was happy on the bike.”

Carles Falcon (KTM) was in a “serious condition” after falling during the second stage of the 46th Dakar Rally off-road between Al-Henakiya and Al-Duwadimi in Saudi Arabia, he told the organization.

“On the 448th kilometer of the special day, at 15:52, the Spanish motorcyclist Carles Falcon fell victim to a fall. After receiving an immediate warning from another rider who was following him, the organization sent a helicopter, which took the rider in serious condition to Al Duwadimi Hospital,” the Amaury Sports Organization (ASO) said in a statement.

Carles Falcon finished 76th in the first stage of the race on Saturday.

The Portuguese also had an accident

Injured on Saturday, Portuguese Joaquim Rodrigues Jr. (Hero) also confirmed in a social media post that he broke two fingers on his left hand and lost consciousness after falling at the 82nd kilometer of the first stage. race.

“I know that I was accompanied by other pilots, but I only remember that I was in a helicopter heading to the hospital,” wrote the pilot from Barcelos.

Kim Rodriguez Jr. also thanked Sebastian Buehler and Joan Barreda, his Hero teammates, as well as Macik Giemza and Stefan Svitko, all drivers who stopped to help him.