As Francisco “Chaleco” Lopez retires from the Dakar Rally with a knee injury, we take a look at an uplifting series of photos shot by Alfredo Escobar during the training sessions in December.
The scenic desert location of this photostory is Copiapo, Chile, where Marc Coma regained the overall lead in his thrilling duel with Cyril Despres on Monday. It is unfortunately also the very same place where doctors advised Francisco “Chaleco” Lopez to exit the competition...
After his fall on Monday morning, at kilometre eighty of the seventh stage, in Copiapo, Lopez finished the stage and was half an hour behind the stage winner. He has a grade two sprain in his right knee, which is painful and causes some instability, which will prevent him controlling the bike efficiently in demanding stages.
The family doctor of the national sport, Fernando Radice, reported that “after review and submitting to tests, we decided not to continue the competition.”
“My Dakar finishes today,” said the Chilean rider. “I´m in pain and I am not able to put the leg on the ground, but I know I will be fine in two or three weeks. I would like to thank all people who have supported me to meet the challenge of reaching the game and even winning a stage this year.”
Photos © Alfredo Escobar / Red Bull Content Pool
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