RIP - Andy Caldecott
 

Died today 250 km into the special stage of the Dakar Rally, Ace Aussie enduro racer, he leaves a wife and a 4 year old behind him

Ride free AC

Re: RIP - Andy Caldecott
 

:( I guess he knew the risks but you just don't expect them to happen. So sad. RIP AC

TBH i'd never heard of the fella till i was watching Eurosport last night.
Even the g/f stopped what she was reading and watched the bit at the begining about him.

Always a shame when anyone dies when racing but i guess thats the risks you take. And better dying doing what you love rather than wasting away in a bed imho.

RIP AC, enjoy the sand dunes in the sky buddy.

What happened?

Very sad :(

RIP

Jeez, I think the Dakar Rally is great, but gutted that it seems to cost so many lives.

Etienne was just telling me about AC the other day - apparently he's the cousin of one of the guys on the TLPlanet website, and only got the ride at the last minute...

AC was an experienced Dakar rider having come 5th (I think) last year. He couldn't get the fundss together this year and had resigned himself that he would not be going but KTM contacted him a weeke before the start as one f their team had an injury and couldn't make it

This was the first day back after the rest day, the "officials" use the rest day to calculate the time penalties for missing wey-points and AC was hit with a 2 hour penalty, he was in 6th I think. Maybe this caused him to push it a bit more, the accident was not witnessed although people were on the scene quickly.

This stage cost two lives last year, it is a gruelling challenge with 500 km of competition stage in some of the worst terraine encountered.

No bike racing today as a mark of respect, they resume tomorrow.

One of the fastest stages apparently... maybe just overcooked it, tis a shame but at least he died doing what he loved

RIP

Andy was a very experienced "Raid"rider and had won many big races back in Oz. Terrible tragedy following his last minute call up by KTM. Even worse when his wife is presently expecting their child also.

The crash happened on a fast track but as mentioned no explanation given. He may have hit something or perhaps something threw up and hit him.the bike was well and truly damaged,very,very sad. :cry:

And believe it or not I was going to mention that I have been giving some serious thought about entering next year as a privateer. No chance of coming anywhere obviously but to experience the whole deal? I am going to to do the sums to see what minimum budget this could be done for.

Any volunteers for a 3 week jaunt this time next year shout up! :wink:

mms://vipeurosport.yacast.net/eurosport/2006/01/09/cadelcott_com_22807_4_239_0_320x240.wmv

Eurosport tribute