Paulo Goncalves dead aged 40: Motorbike star suffers horror crash during Dakar Rally and was rushed to hospital – The Sun

PAULO GONCALVES has died aged 40 following a horror crash at the Dakar Rally.

The motorbike star suffered the fatal accident after 171 miles of the seventh stage of the Saudi Arabia desert race.

The Portuguese ace was rushed to hospital but later pronounced dead after being found unconscious.

According to the BBC, he was airlifted away from the crash site to Layla.

It is understood Hero Motorsports Team Rally rider Goncalves, who has finished in the races top 10 four times, suffered a cardiac arrest.

A statement from the organisers said: "The entire Dakar caravan would like to extend its sincere condolences to his friends and family."

The iconic event was once known as the Paris-Dakar Rally and is being held in Saudi Arabia for the first time.

It had spent the past decade in South America following its original switch from its Saharan African route because of security reasons.

Celebrities and famous faces from around the world have competed in the race, including two-time F1 champion Fernando Alonso.

Ex-Chelsea and Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas also appeared in it last year, but crashed out.

Dozens of drivers are racing in various vehicles over 12 stages of the competition.

Goncalves was the 2013 cross-country world rallies champion and taking part in his 13th Dakar Rally.