The sixth stage of the Dakar rally, between the town of Fiambalá Argentina and Chile from Copiapo, was suspended due to bad weather conditions at the border crossing between the two countries, the organization said Saturday's rally
"Given the worsening weather conditions in the mountains the Chilean authorities have been forced to close tonight over San Francisco," the organization said in a statement.
All participants in the Dakar cross the border "in convoy" to ensure the safety of drivers and fans, it added.
"It is most reasonable for us and everyone of the Dakar caravan," said rally director Etienne Lavigne, told reporters.
The organization said the originally planned route has been modified after the Chilean border and the vehicle is traveling on a road to the town of Diego de Almagro, near the city of Copiapo in northern Chile.
Before the border, the Dakar caravan will travel 394 miles between Fiambala and passing San Francisco.
The first bikes will leave the camp in Fiambalá about eight o'clock, Lavigne said, adding that the weather forecast for tomorrow is favorable.
In the Dakar 2009, the organization suspended the same stage but in reverse, from Copiapo to Fiambala, due to the possibility that there was fog in the Chilean city in the morning.
