Andy Caldecott - Australian Moto Winner Killed Mid-Stage 9 at Dakar Rally Caldecott Was Victorious in Stage 3

Kiffa, North Africa - (January 9, 2006)

The Dakar Rally media officials have delivered stunning news to the world this morning with the announcement of the death of top Rally rider, Andy Caldecott. Riding for Team Repsol KTM and capturing victory in the Stage 3, Caldecott’s untimely death illustrates the harshness of the world’s toughest off road race.

Since its inauguration 28 years ago, 23 competitors have paid the ultimate price in the quest of their Rally championship dreams.

Dakar officials released the following statement:

"We learnt of the death of Andy Caldecott at 12:57 CET, who fell at the 250km point of today's stage," says Dakar director Etienne Lavigne. "He died immediately. We knew of the accident at 12:31 CET and the helicopter was with him as 12:55 where he was pronounced dead at 12:57 CET.

"Caldecott was the victim of terrible shock to the upper vertebra," he added. "He was on a very fast track but was riding under the maximum speed allowed. "We will wait until all the riders finish the stage before telling them of this incident. We will take a decision as a group at this point."

"It was on the track after the dunes and - even more tragic - not far away from the point where Fabrizio Meoni died last year," said KTM's sports director Heinz Kinigadner.

Andy Caldecott, 41, who replaced Jordi Duran as Marc Coma's water carrier on this year's event, was competing on only his third Dakar after recolting funds from family and friends to make a dream debut in 2004, winning one stage.

He returned in 2005, winning two stages, and was then forced to retire from the sport after failing to raise sufficient funds for the 2006 event. That was until Repsol called up a week before Christmas with the proposal of replacing the injured Duan.

"It's difficult to accept," said Repsol KTM boss Jordi Arcarons.

"We must work together to help improve the safety of the riders. Now, it is too late. We will speak to the riders to help them to get over this incident. "I didn't know him very well," he added. "He was a Repsol KTM rider who only had the chance to do the Dakar at the last moment. We can't change destiny. The risk will always exist."

Born in Keith, Australia, Caldecott was widely known in the world of rallies in his home-country. He won the Australian Safari four times in a row (2000-2003), he was declared the third best raid rider of the world in 2003 and finished the 2004 Cross Country World Championship in fourth place.

KTM Repsol Reflects on Caldecott Tragedy