Boorman out of Dakar

Charley Boorman has been forced to pull out of the Dakar on the same day that last year’s winner, Cyril Despres, saw his hopes dashed of keeping the title.

Boorman crashed and broke his hand during the 819km stage forcing him to retire from the race. He will continue to follow the race to support his team-mates and keep filming the TV series.

Despres crashed out badly out of the lead after hitting some Camel grass – a hard lumpy grass that grows in soft dune sand and is a nightmare for bikes. His bike bounced up of the grass and he was knocked unconscious when the bars hit him in the face.

Despite a displaced collarbone and no fairing Despres finished the stage with the help of his team-mates and race rivals Marc Coma and Isidre Esteve and has vowed to finish the race, although he admits his chances of winning are now gone.

The stage was won by Chilean KTM rider Carlo De Gavardo just in front of his Repsol KTM team-mate Giovanni Sala, with Esteve finishing third.

Marc Coma now leads the overall rankings while Despres still holds second, but for how long is debatable.

Click here for the full stage results

Click here for the overall standings