Dakar stage shortened because of weather

BUENOS AIRES — The second stage of the Dakar Rally Monday was shortened because of poor weather conditions, race organizers confirmed. Thunderstorms and heavy rain had already forced the cancellation of Sunday’s opening stage because of safety concerns, a day after 10 people were injured when a car crashed into spectators during the prologue. The weather is again expected to have an impact on Monday’s stage, with race director Etienne Lavigne confirming it would be shortened by at least 150 kilometers. “It’s going to rain for most of the night (Sunday to Monday) on the special, then it should stop to begin again in the afternoon,” said Lavigne. “We’re going to do our best to ensure that the stage will take place in the best possible conditions.” The motorcyclists will cover the 354km timed special, instead of the planned 450km, with the cars racing 387km instead of 510km. The second stage between Villa Carlos Paz and Termas de Rio Hondo in Argentina covers 787km in total for the motorcyclists and 847km for the cars. “The Dakar doesn’t stop when it rains but when it’s not possible to guarantee the normal security presence” for the rally, race director Etienne Lavigne told AFP Sunday. “The weather conditions are very bad. The relay plane (which helps with radio communications) was unable to fly. Helicopters can’t take off. The situation isn’t going to improve in terms of visibility,” he added. The 38th edition of the Dakar Rally, which will cover more than 9,300km across Argentina and Bolivia, commenced with Saturday’s prologue which was “neutralized” and then immediately suspended after the crash involving the Mini of Chinese driver Guo Meiling left 10 people hurt. — Agencies