Marc Coma has crashed out of the 2007 Dakar Rally, after getting lost on this morning’s stage near Tambacounda in Senegal.

Coma looked set for another victory in the famous off-road rally, but a fall today left him unable to ride and he was helicoptered to Dakar for further medical treatment. His team mate Esteve Pujol used parts from Coma’s bike to keep his own bike going, as the Dakar reaches its final stages.

The favourite for the win now is Frenchman Cyril Despres, who was lying some 50 minutes behind Coma, but boosted his hopes of victory with a stage win today, as well as seeing Coma go out of the event.

Despres leads the event now, with David Casteu in 2nd and US rider Chris Blais about an hour behind Despres in third place.

Britain’s top rider Mick Extance retired from the event at the close of stage seven, earlier in the week. 65 year old veteran off-road rider Robbie Allen also retired, after reportedly suffering breathing difficulties, also on stage seven.

(this article was taken from insidebikes.com)

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