Experienced Belgian rider in Dakar Rally dies in Argentina

Belgium's Eric Palante rides his Honda for a technical verification exercise of the sixth South American edition of the Dakar Rally 2014, in Rosario January 3, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

BUENOS AIRES - Belgian motorcycle rider Eric Palante was found dead on Friday in a road where the 2014 Dakar Rally's fifth stage was held between the cities of Chilecito and San Miguel de Tucuman in Argentina.

According to the rally organizers, Palante was found dead at kilometer 143 of the Thursday's stage, but the causes of the death are still unknown.

The investigation into the causes and circumstances of Palante' s death is being held by Analia Castro, judge from Argentina's northern province of Catamarca.

The rally organizers said no alert or emergency call was reported.

This was the 11th time that the 50-year-old rider and father of five children participated in the Dakar Rally. His best result was in 2012, when he finished 66th.

Palante, who would have turned 51 on January 21, was born in Vaux- Sous-Chevremont, Belgium.