Missing rally rider is found safe

Mick Extance was the leading British rider when his engine failed

A motorcycle rider from Derby has been found safe in the Sahara desert after his machine broke down during one of the toughest rallies in the world.

Mick Extance, 42, from Spondon, was 50 miles (80km) from the end of Thursday's stage of the Dakar rally when officials lost him on their race tracking device.

It was suspected that his engine had failed during adverse conditions.

A "sweeper truck" which rescues stranded drivers picked him up and took him for a medical check.

On realising Mr Extance had not completed the 500-mile (800km) stage, his team members made unsuccessful efforts to contact him.

At the time he was the leading British rider in the rally.

He spent the night alone in freezing temperatures.

His wife Sharon said: "We are all so relieved.

"I'm absolutely gutted for him and the team and I just want to speak to him as I know he will be completely devastated in not finishing.

"The Dakar is quite simply his passion, his whole life.

"I would like to thank everyone for all their support and we will be back next year; I won't be able to keep him from the race he loves so much. It's in his blood and he has my complete backing."

Mr Extance was competing in his sixth Dakar rally and was aiming to finish in the top 20 riders out of 232 motorcycle competitors from around the world.