French Cyclist in Critical Condition After Crash in Argentina

A French motorcyclist is in intensive care after being found unconscious in remote sand dunes during the Dakar Rally in western Argentina.

Officials at Teodoro J. Schestakow Hospital said Tuesday that cyclist Sebastian Coue apparently crashed during the second stage of the rally and was exposed to temperatures above 40 degrees centigrade (104 Fahrenheit) before he was found.

Officials said it was unclear how long he had been exposed to the extreme heat.

The Dakar Rally, considered one of the most dangerous in motor sports, has already claimed three lives this year. Argentine bike rider Jorge Martinez Boero died in a crash in Sunday’s first stage. On the same day, the pilot of an ultralight plane and his son died when the aircraft went down while following the race.