The 2020 Dakar Rally has already suffered its first incident, despite the event having yet to officially start.
On Thursday, during a shakedown ahead of next week’s first stage, Martin Kolomy flipped his Ford Raptor 4×4 front over rear before landing on its wheels having suffered heavy damage.
Kolomy, who has previously competed in the Truck class, was airlifted to hospital in Jeddah and suffered a back injury.
Co-driver Jirka Stross was also transferred to the same hospital for a check-up.
“Compressed 3rd vertebra and 2nd cracked,” Kolomy tweeted. “Now they’re wondering what to do with me! But I’ll be fine. Thanks to everyone for the support messages… they make it a lot better.”
