Fog halts Dakar bikes

Amid much anticipation the Dakar finally hit Africa yesterday evening, but the excitement was short lived for the bikes as heavy fog prevented them from even starting the stage this morning.

The fog meant that medical helicopters could not fly so organisers deemed it too dangerous to race. Instead the bikes were told to head slowly to checkpoint 1 where they picked up a tarmac road to head for stage 5, Agadir to Smara.

The by the time the bikes had cleared the course the fog had lifted and the cars and trucks were alowed to race, adding to the gall for the bikes.

Stage five includes a 380km special which combines some very fast sections with rocky mountain trails so there should be a good mix of action. French Yamaha rider David Frétigné will start the stage in the lead.