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Australian killed in Dakar Rally
 January 10, 2006 - 12:16AM


KIFFA, Mauritania: Australian motorcyclist Andy Caldecott has been killed in a crash during the ninth stage of the Dakar Rally, organisers said.

KTM rider Caldecott, who won the third stage of the Rally from Nador to Er Rachidia in Morocco last Monday, fell from his machine 250 kilometres into the 599-kilometre stage between Nouakchott and Kiffa in Mauritania.

"We learned at 11:57 GMT (2257 AEDT) of the death of Andy Caldecott who fell after 250 kilometres," race director Etienne Lavigne said.

"He probably died instantly. We learned of the accident at 11:31 and the helicopter landed at 11:55. His death was confirmed at 11:57. Obviously his family have been informed."

The 41-year-old Caldecott, a specialist in the desert and four-time winner of the Australian Safari from 2000 to 2003, was married with one child and was from Keith in South Australia.

He had not been scheduled to compete in this year's Dakar but was called in to replace Spaniard Jordi Duran, who pulled out injured in December.

He won two stages last year on his way to finishing sixth overall.

"I am pretty surprised to have won the stage," said Caldecott after his win last Monday.

"Only because I arrived for the Dakar at the last minute without really being prepared for it."

Caldecott becomes the 23rd competitor to die in the Dakar Rally since it started 28 years ago. Last year two motorcyclists died - Spain's Juan Manuel Perez and Italy's Fabrizio Meoni.

Caldecott started yesterday's stage in 10th position overall and more than two hours behind the leader .

He was among more than 140 motorcyclists penalised on Sunday for missing time control points on the eighth stage on Saturday.

AFP

 

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