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This year's Dakar Rally has been scrapped because of threats made by terrorist groups.
The classic rally raid, the most famous off-road event on the calendar, was due to start in Lisbon, Portugal, tomorrow (Jan 5). But the French government has advised its citizens against visiting Mauritania after four tourists were murdered there on Christmas Eve, and the African country makes up a large chunk of the event's route.
Organisers informed the 570 competitors this morning that the event would not take place. A statement said: "Following several consultations with the French government - in particular the ministry of foreign affairs - and taking into account its firm recommendations, the organisers of the Dakar have taken the decision to cancel the 2008 edition of the rally."
Stages have been cancelled on the Dakar before for a wide variety of reasons, but this is the first occasion that the entire event has been scrubbed.
John McIlroy
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