Al-attiyah backs organisers in route shakeup

Last year’s Dakar winner Nasser Al-attiyah has backed the organisers of the South American event in their call to modify the route in the face of difficult weather conditions.

The Qatari said the safety of the crews and spectators had to come above everything. He was speaking in the wake of an accident involving the Mini All4 Racing of his X-raid team-mate and Dakar debutant Guo Meiling.

Chinese woman Meiling, 47, crashed on the short prologue test on Saturday, injuring 10 fans – three of whom were detained in hospital and were reported to be in a serious condition when MN closed for press.

“It’s a good decision from the organisers, we don’t need to take any risk on the safety side,” said Al-attiyah. “The [cancelled] section was a little bit in the mountains, so it would be too much risk if something happens and the helicopter cannot reach the point.”

Event director Etienne Lavigne

2015 winner Nasser Al-attiyah

admitted the weather was causing significant problems to the event.

“We are troubled,” he said. “Weather conditions are very bad and we can’t set the security measures for the Dakar. Honestly, it’s preferable to cancel. The medical helicopters were supposed to arrive to deal with security and they were down south [because of low cloud].

“In these conditions there are red and orange warning lights flashing on the Dakar.”

Further difficult weather conditions were expected as the event moved north towards the Andes and into Bolivia. Sebastien Loeb was leading when MN went to press.