French rider Thomas Bourgin killed on-route to stage seven on Dakar

Frenchman Thomas Bourgin was the victim of a fatal traffic accident on the liaison stage on-route to stage seven’s timed special this morning.

The 25 year old from Saint Etienne in France collided with a Chilean police car which was travelling in the opposite direction 8.23am. The exact circumstances of the accident are subjected to an official inquiry. The rally’s medical teams were deployed on the ground and were only able to certify the rider’s death, probably instant.

The Nomade Racing KTM rider had started the race in 106th spot and had improved his results on every stage of the race to date, which had culminated him moving up to 68th place overall after stage six.

Previous Rally experience had seen him race in the Morocco Rally, finish fourth in the 2011 Africa Race and seventh in the Tunisia Rally.

MCN would like to express their sincere condolences to Bourgin’s family, friends and Nomade Racing team.