The British driver Sam Sunderland (GasGas), winner of the 2022 edition of the all-terrain Dakar rally, abandoned the 45th edition this Sunday after a fall in the first stage of the race.
“The title holder fell at kilometer 52 of the special and had to be assisted by the medical team,” announced the Amaury Sports Organization (ASO), on the competition’s official website.
Sunderland suffered a broken shoulder and a stroke. According to the organization of the race, he was transferred by helicopter to the hospital in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, which hosts the cross-country race for the fourth consecutive year, until January 15.
Sam Sunderland, 33, was “conscious” and “mobile in his limbs” despite suffering from back pain.
The GasGas driver already has two victories in the Dakar, in 2017 and 2022. In 2018 he also retired.
Source: TSF
