The organisation, by mutual agreement with the riders, has decided to neutralise tomorrow’s motorbike stage, which will be covered as a liaison
The Repsol KTM Team announces that, out of consideration for the effort, dedication and the great work done by KTM rider Andy Caldecott, the team has decided that it will continue with its participation in the 2006 Lisbon Dakar Rally. At this moment, Marc Coma is leading the race with an advantage of 22 minutes and 47 seconds.
On the other hand, as a sign of mourning for the death of the Australian rider, all riders have decided, by mutual agreement with the ASO, organisers of the event, not to race tomorrow’s stage. The tenth stage of the rally in the motorbike class has been neutralised by the organisation. Considering the different alternatives and taking into account the complicated orography to move the caravan to Kayes, the organisation has decided that the best solution is to cover the race as if it would be a liaison. Tomorrow, riders will leave Kiffa in convoy heading for Kayes, Mali, where the stage was supposed to finish.
The Repsol KTM team wants to thank for all the signs of affection and solidarity received today.
Caldecott, died during the ninth stage, a 599-km route between Nouakchott and Kiffa, in Mauritania. The 41-year old rider suffered a crash at km 250 of the stage, in a fast section after the second control point, dying immediately after the incident. The organisation received the alert at 11.31 GMT and sent a medical helicopter right away. After landing on the scene of the accident at 11.55 GMT, the doctors and assistances could only certify his death.
Andy Caldecott, who initially had no team to take part in the Dakar Rally, joined the structure of the Repsol KTM Team on suggestion of KTM one week before the start of the rally. He did it as official rider of the Austrian make and in replacement of the injured Jordi Durán, who had not recovered on time from an injury suffered in early December 2005.
