Aleš Loprais leaves race after death of Italian spectator

Aleš Loprais will not be continuing in the Dakar 2023. The Czech driver, who was leading the rankings in the truck category with an 11' lead over Janus van Kasteren, has decided to withdraw from the competition, along with the Instaforex team, after learning of the tragic death of an Italian spectator, Livio Sassinotti, who died while being transported by helicopter to the local hospital.

Loprais had not heard the shocking news until he arrived at the bivouc. He was unaware of having run over the fan. According to the images, the incident was accidental. The man was taking pictures, standing behind a dune along the route of the 9th special stage, and was run over by Aleš’s truck. Shaken by the sad news, the 42-year-old Czech driver immediately made himself available to the local authorities that are investigating the 69-year-old’s death.