The death of Argentinian rider Jorge Martinez Boero overshadowed the first day of the Dakar Rally on Sunday in which Russia's Leonid Novitzkiy lead the cars section and Chilean Francisco Lopez the motorbikes.
The 38-year-old Boero, making his second appearance on the gruelling rally, sustained a heart attack after a
fall from his Beta bike during the opening day of racing between Mar del Plata and Santa Rosa de la Pampa in the west of Argentina.
Organisers said that Boero received medical attention within five minutes of the crash and was airlifted by helicopter, but died on his way to hospital.
Boero, they said, "was the victim of a fall at kilometre 55 of the special of the first stage between Mar del Plata and Santa Rosa".
"The rider suffered a cardiac arrest following his fall and was attended five minutes after the accident by the medical staff, who reached the place of the incident by helicopter.
"Despite their best efforts, the doctors were unable to resuscitate the pilot, who died while he was being taken to hospital.
"The organisers of the rally offer their heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones."
Boero's death was the 21st of a competitor during a Dakar Rally, organised 29 times in Africa from 1979 before moving to South America in 2009.
In total, 59 people have died during the rally, including more than 20 spectators.
During the day's racing Mini got off to a strong start with Novitzkiy clocking 32min 12sec over the 57km course to finish 5sec ahead of Poland's Krzysztof Holowczyc with France's former champion Stephane Peterhansel 9sec off the pace - both also in Minis.
Defending champion Nasser Al-Attiyah however struggled home 9min 50sec behind Novitzhiy after his Hummer ran into mechanical problems two kilometres from the finish.
"We will see, but this does not look good... whatever happens, this is not a good way to start the Dakar!" said the Qatari.
Aprilia rider Lopez timed 32min 37sec coming in 14sec ahead of defending champion Marc Coma of Spain on a KTM and 27sec in front of Argentinian Javier Pizzolito, riding a Honda.
Coma scored some early points against team-mate and principal rival Frenchman Cyril Despres, who finished 1min 48sec behind the stage winner in 13th place.
- AAP
