The final stage of the 2022 edition of the Dakar Rally, held in territory of Saudi Arabia, was overshadowed by a fatal accident involving an assistance vehicle, during a displacement stage from Bisha, a town in the south-western Saudi Arabian province of 'Asir, to Jeddah.
The road accident happened about 11h30 on Friday, 14 January 2022, 234 kilometers (145 miles) into the transport section. Quentin Lavalée, a 20-year-old French mechanic, lost his life when the assistance vehicle he was driving collided with a local truck. Lavalée was pronounced dead in the National Guard Hospital in Jeddah. His co-driver, Belgian Maxime Frère sustained some injuries and was treated at the same hospital.
Quentin Lavalée was following the rally, acting as chief mechanic to the Peugeot 205 T16 Grand Raid bearing the race number #726, entered by PH Sports and driven by Rudy Jacquot-William Alcaraz, who finished second in class, 24th place overall in the Dakar Classic category.
R.I.P
