Dakar Rally: Motorcyclist seriously injured and taken to hospital

Motorcyclist Carles Falcon has been taken to hospital after he was seriously injured during a hard crash at the second stage of the Dakar Rally.

The Spaniard fell at kilometre 448 of the stage and was taken to hospital in critical condition.

The organizers of the Dakar Rally reported the following in a statement: “The Spanish motorbike rider Carles Falcón (no. 135) crashed at 3:52 pm while racing at km 448 of the special.

“A fellow entrant who was behind him immediately alerted the organisation, which sent a medical helicopter to extract the injured rider. He was in serious condition and has been airlifted to Al Duwadimi Hospital.

“Additional information is expected in the coming hours.”

This post will be completed as updates become available.