Dakar Rally motorcyclist in 'serious' conditon after crash

Spanish motorcyclist Carles Falcon was helicoptered to hospital with serious injuries in Saudi Arabia on Sunday after crashing during the second stage of the Dakar Rally.

The high-speed race over jagged rocks and winding sand dunes in the Saudi desert was almost complete when the experienced off-road rider from Tarragona suffered an accident.

"Immediately notified by another racer who was following him, the organisation dispatched a medical helicopter which took care of the injured motorcyclist in a condition considered serious. He was airlifted to Al-Duwadimi hospital," race organiser ASO said.

Falcon, riding for the Twintrail Racing Team, was 76th after Saturday's opening stage.