Death of local rider mars start of 2012 Dakar

The 38-year-old Argentinean rider was participating in his second Dakar, after making his debut in the 2011 event. Boero reportedly suffered a fall 2 kms from the stage finish at Santa Rosa Del Pampa and suffered a heart attack after the event and couldn't be revived while being airlifted to hospital.

Boero is the 21st Dakar competitor to die in competition since the event started in 1979.

The opening stage was won by Chile's Francisco Lopez, who finished ahead of three-time winner Marc Coma and Argentina's Javier Pizzolito.

Coma hit back in the second stage from Santa Rosa Del Pampa to San Rafael to take the stage win and overall lead from Lopez, with Cyril Despres third. Both Coma and Despres are Dakar veterans and former winners.

Six Australians are entered in this year's Dakar: Dean Nuttall (KTM); Craig Tarlington (KTM); Mark Davidson (KTM); Jamie Chittick (Honda); David Schwarz (Husaberg); and Rod Faggotter (Husaberg). All bar Davidson and Schwarz are Dakar virgins.

Of the Aussie two wheel contingent, Faggotter was the quickest in the first stage, finishing 44th and sits 37th overall in the Bike class after two stages.

images: dakar.com