The 2012 Dakar Rally is fast approaching, but French rider David Frétigné won’t be competing this time around.
Frétigné is one of few riders that could possibly threaten frontrunners Cyril Despres and Marc Coma’s supremacy in the long-distance race. He was signed to ride with Speedbrain for the Husqvarna Rallye team, as part of that company’s increased effort to end KTM’s dominance in the race.
But unfortunately for Frétigné, the same back injury that kept him out of the 2011 Dakar is going to keep him out of the 2012 edition as well. Frétigné’s doctors have advised him a rough fall could leave him paralyzed – a warning any off-road racer would heed.
Frétigné’s place on the Speedbrain team was filled by José Manuel Pellicer, a Spaniard who finished 20th in the 2011 Dakar Rally.
