Injury during the first stage of the Dakar Rally 2018

In the prelude to the Dakar Rally 2018, international drivers talked a lot about the tough challenge that the Peruvian desert dunes would represent. And that was proven by Portuguese rider Joaquim Rodrigues, who suffered a painful fall during the first stage.

On the route between the cities of Lima and Pisco, Rodrigues miscalculated and didn't notice a noticeable slope among the dunes. That's why he didn't reduce speed and his motorcycle flew through the air.

Rodrigues' fall was so shocking that he lay motionless on the sand. That's why the security of the Dakar Rally 2018 immediately assisted him. In fact, the Portuguese rider had to be taken away from the site by helicopter, and later confirmed that he was out of danger.

It's worth mentioning that the first abandonment of the Dakar Rally 2018 occurred just during the first stage, on the Pan-American Highway, where German driver Jurgen Droessiger crashed against a truck and was out.