The competitors are on a rest day in Bolivia’s capital La Paz, having made their way there along major roads after Stage 6 was cancelled due to extreme weather.
It’s given the competitors a longer break from the intensity of the rally.
Only 255 of the 318 vehicles which started in Asunción remain in the event.
Australian Toby Price is in hospital in La Paz and has shared an x-ray of his broken leg to social media.
“Here is the aftermath of my crash during the Dakar Rally, breaking my femur into 4 pieces!” he wrote.
“Long road ahead once again but I will be back in no time.”
“I can’t thank each and everyone of you enough for the kind words and support, it’s only going to speed up my recovery!”
Toby crashed at 90km/h on the 4th stage last week, trying to catch up lost time after a navigational error the previous day sent him back to fifth place overall.
Matt Hart, one of two Australian riders left in the event, has also posted to social media overnight from the comfort of a hotel room.
“I am fortunate enough to get a night in the hotel get some washing done and dry out”, he said.
Australian Matthew Hart has had a rest in a La Paz hotel before the beginning tomorrow’s stage.Matt injured his shoulder in a crash on stage 3 but has been able to keep going.
Tonight (Australian time) the competitors head out on a 2 day marathon, travelling 622km from La Paz to Uyuni, and a further 900km the following day from Uyuni to Salta.
The run to Salta also brings the riders down from the high altitude Altiplano.
Matthew says he won’t see his support crew for those 2 days and it’s “critical to look after the bike and not do any more flying tricks for the camera!“.
Our very own Christophe Barriere-Varju knows just how tough the Dakar is, having competed 4 times himself.
The multi-award winning movie Dream Racer tracks Christophe’s progress through the event and is the purest footage you’ll ever see of the Dakar.
You can check out the movie at dreamracer.tv.
Coverage of the Dakar continues on SBS today from 5.30pm to 6.00pm (check your local TV guides to confirm), and check in here at Motorcycle Life and the Dream Racer Facebook page for regular updates.