French motorcyclist Pascal Terry has been found dead during the Dakar Rally in Argentina.
The 49-year-old Terry had gone missing Sunday during the second stage of the race, between Santa Rosa and Puerto Madryn, organizers said in a statement.
Terry was found early Wednesday in an area of dense vegetation, about 50 feet from his motorcycle, without his helmet and with food and water beside him.
Las Pampas regional police are investigating the death. It was Terry's first time taking part in the Dakar Rally.
This is the first year the famed motor race is being held in South America. Organizers called off last year's race in Africa because of terrorist threats.
Terry informed race organizers Sunday that he had run out of gas but then obtained some from another rider.
Later, Terry sent out an alert, and a search was launched. Rescuers had a difficult time because of the dense terrain.
On Tuesday, the search was briefly called off after rescuers thought they had spotted him. A rescue team finally reached him overnight.
There have been a series of deaths among competitors in the 31-year history of the race. Two died during the last race, in 2007.
The rally finishes on Jan. 18 in Buenos Aires.
Pascal Terry: “I’m looking for good rear view mirrors”
To be a “child of the Dakar” comes from a state of mind. Here’s Pascal Terry, 49 years of age on the eve of his first appearance on a bike. The Dakar was his dream “ever since it existed”. “The start of the cars on new year’s eve” is a memory that has remained vivid for the last 30 years. At the beginning of the race he was in his twenties and did motocross with passion. He admired Sabine the adventurer. So to start a Dakar in South America far away from its known origins is a nice homage. “The destination was actually the detonator, a renewal”, says the native of the Manche area of France. “It made me jump into a dream”. His friend Pascal Gilbert who has competed in two bike Dakars wanted to take him to the adventure but on four wheels. He managed to convince him “to do it again on a bike in a team. It’s going to be a true story. Riding as a pair isn’t easy. I’m looking for good rear view mirrors”. The two men from Normandy who have known each other for a long time have turned to Antoine Morel’s team, just to put the chances on their sides. But it will be difficult “to keep a cold head” when you take on a legend like the Dakar. “I truly believe that it will be sensational. The place seems fabulous. We will witness a great moment and I will do all I can to enjoy every stage of the race”. Pascal intends on building a reality at the height of his dream.
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