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LA RIOJA, Argentina - A Polish motorcyclist has died of unknown causes on the 2015 Dakar Rally.
Dakar.com reported on Tuesday (Jan 6) that Michal Hernik (39) died during Tuesday's Stage 3 from San Juan and Chilecito in Argentina. He "showed no signs of an accident" and the circumstances of his death have not yet been determined.
His death is the first in the 2015 Dakar.
When Hernik's tracking signal was lost a search began for the rider at 8.23pm (SA local), according to the statement. An ambulance helicopter found the rider about 300m from the route about 30 minutes later. It was Hernik's first time participating in the race.
RIDERS KILLED IN DAKAR
He had previously raced in the 2014 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge and the 2013 Morocco Rally, each of which he completed.
Dakar organisers said: "The whole Dakar family offers its condolences to Michal's family, close friends and team."
Since 2012, a motorcyclist has been killed in each Dakar edition to date:
2012 - Jorge Andres Martínez Boero
2013 - Thomas Bourgin
2014 - Eric Palante
2015 - Michal Hernik
Stay with Wheels24 for daily coverage of the 2015 Dakar Rally.