Monday 9th January 2006

Australian KTM motorcyclist Andy Caldecott (41), died whilst competing in the Dakar Rally, as a result of neck injuries received in a crash approximately 250km (155mi) into stage 9, between Nouakchott and Kiffa in Mauritania.. He won the third stage of the event between Nador and Er Rachidia only a few days before his death. Caldecott, who was married with one child, won the Australia Safari four times from 2000 and 2003 and was competing in his third Dakar. He had retired from riding in 2005, having failed to raise sufficient funds but was given a surprise Dakar Rally chance by KTM just before Christmas, as replacement for Jordi Duran.The death occurred despite efforts by the event organisers to improve competitor safety, including speed limits, mandatory rest at fuTel stops, and reduced fuel capacity requirements for the bike classes.