The organisers of the 2014 Dakar Rally have released a statement confirming that Belgian rider Eric Palante has passed away during the 5th stage of this years event.
"At 08:30 hours this morning, as the crew of the broom truck was plotting the position of bike rider 122 to pick him up, at kilometre 143 on the special of the 5th stage between Chilecito and San Miguel de Tucuman they found the body of the Belgian rider Eric Palante (entrant no. 122)," the statement read.
"The circumstances of Eric‰Ûªs death are the subject of an analysis by the Judge Dr. Massucco of Belen [Catamarca province].
"No alert was received by the organisers, and Eric‰Ûªs water had been replenished in the afternoon.
"The rider‰Ûªs family were told of the accident by the organisation in the morning. Fifty-year-old Eric Palante was taking part in his 11th Dakar and hoped to win the amateur trophy for motorbikes. He knew the race very well, and over the years his enthusiastic but serious approach had made him one of the pillars of the event.
"It is with great sadness that the organisers and the entire family of the Dakar offer their condolences to Eric‰Ûªs family and friends."
