Third stage of Dakar Rally halted: 'Can't guarantee safety anymore'

The third stage of the Dakar Rally has been cancelled. Competitors will be stopped from waypoint three due to deteriorating weather conditions.

Dakar Rally halted

The third stage in the 2023 Dakar Rally was from Alula to Ha'il a sloppy 670 kilometres for the competitors. However, the stage was plagued by bad weather conditions. In those conditions, it already had to say goodbye to the first American Dakar winner in the motorbikes. Indeed, Ricky Brabec crashed after 274 and had to be taken to hospital.

However, at 2:25PM local time, the organisers decided that the stage would be called off as the safety of the participants could no longer be guaranteed. As a number of participants (from the motorbikes) have already finished, a calculation will be made of the remaining participants based on the intervals at the first measuring points. The cars and trucks will be stopped at intermediate point three, where the day's results will also be determined.

Weather update: Halt of the Bikes race at CP2 and CP3
The worsening weather conditions are no longer allowing the organization to guarantee the safety of the competitors in the best possible way. The riders are stopped at CP 2 (km 335) and CP3 (km 377). #Dakar2023 pic.twitter.com/sOxjNIs0U8

— DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) January 3, 2023

Weather update: Halt of the car race at CP3

Worsening weather conditions no longer allow the organization to guarantee the safety of the competitors, so the crews of the car and truck categories will be stopped at CP3 (km 377). #Dakar2023 pic.twitter.com/wXAvRulcFS

— DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) January 3, 2023