Photo: autonewsinfo.com
It's a sad day in the history of the Dakar as we have to inform you that Carlos De Gavardo, the first-ever Chilean rider to take part in this rally has passed away. De Gavardo was cycling with his sons last Saturday on the outskirts of Buin, a city 30 kilometers (18 miles) south of the Chilean capital Santiago.
Local reports say that De Gavardo was cycling around his home in Huelquén with his son when he felt sick all of a sudden. Emergency help arrived quickly and resuscitated him on site.
He was rushed to a hospital in Buin almost dead, but there was nothing the doctors could do for him. Carlos De Gavardo died in the hospital as the heart attack he suffered proved to be too damaging.
He was the first Chilean to rode in the Dakar and has also won the national enduro championship nine times. He was also fourth in the grueling Paris-Moscow-Pekin rally raid event in 1997. He also used to ride and drive in the Pharaons Rally and also participated as a driver in Dakar.
Chilean Dakar star Francisco Chaleco Lopez and the country's President Michelle Bachelet said that his death is a great loss to the Chilean motorsport. De Gavardo also was one of the most active personalities that helped bring the Dakar Rally to South America.
He was rushed to a hospital in Buin almost dead, but there was nothing the doctors could do for him. Carlos De Gavardo died in the hospital as the heart attack he suffered proved to be too damaging.
A true Chilean motorsport legend
Carlos De Gavardo, 45, was a legend in the Chilean motorsport, and one of the most revered athletes in the country. He competed in the Dakar Rally on no less than 11 occasions, on both sides of the Atlantic, with his best position being a third place in 2001.He was the first Chilean to rode in the Dakar and has also won the national enduro championship nine times. He was also fourth in the grueling Paris-Moscow-Pekin rally raid event in 1997. He also used to ride and drive in the Pharaons Rally and also participated as a driver in Dakar.
Chilean Dakar star Francisco Chaleco Lopez and the country's President Michelle Bachelet said that his death is a great loss to the Chilean motorsport. De Gavardo also was one of the most active personalities that helped bring the Dakar Rally to South America.
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