OFFICIAL STATEMENT: Death of bike rider Carles Falcon (ESP)

January 15 ^th 2024 - 18:56 [GMT + 3]

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Spanish rider Carles Falcon from his family.
On the special on stage two from Al Henakiyah to Al Duwadimi, the rider suffered a heavy fall after 448 km. The medical teams who quickly arrived on the scene were able to assess the seriousness of his condition. He was airlifted to the hospital in Al Duwadimi, before being taken to hospital in Riyadh and then repatriated to Spain a few days later.

Despite the best efforts of the doctors, the rider succumbed to his injuries.

Carles Falcon, aged 45 years, was participating in the Dakar for the second time. He finished 68th in 2022 and took part in the unassisted bikers category, in which he finished in 16th place in the final general rankings. This year, he enrolled in the TwinTrail Racing Team. A native of Tarragona and a keen trial rider, he was a motorbike tour guide and an off-road instructor.

The Dakar organisers and competitors offer their most sincere condolences to his family and friends.