Intro:

British motorcyclist Cameron Waugh has died during the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge.

The rider, who was based in Dubai, suffered a crash during the opening leg of the competition.

Script:

A British motorcycle rider has died during the opening leg of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge.

Cameron Waugh, who was based in Dubai, was found by Poland's Jakub Przygonski following a crash and received first aid before being transferred by helicopter to hospital, but was later pronounced dead.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Jakub Przygonski, Rider who found Cameron Waugh following crash

"(He) Crashed in front of me, I stop and.... wasn't so good. And we were waiting, I was waiting with him for the helicopter and I made first aid, trying to help him and.... I don't know, the guys from medical take him to the helicopter and.... and that's it."

Q: "How is that emotionally for you?"

"It's.... it's bad."

While he fought for his life, the rest of the competitors carried on, unaware of their colleague's plight.

Sam Sunderland led the way in the motorbikes field, completing the day's 290.15-kilometre special stage in three hours, 29 minutes and 47 seconds.

Last year's champion and 2014 Dakar Rally winner Spain's Marc Coma finished 34 seconds behind to take second place.

Portuguese rider Paulo Goncalves was third.

Nani Roma began his title defence in the cars category in the perfect manner leading the way .

The Spaniard, who clinched his maiden four-wheel Dakar Rally title at the start of the year, finished n three hours, 25 minutes and 22 seconds.

Poland's Marek Dabrowski was a considerable 11 minutes and 29 seconds off the pace in second, with Dutch driver Erik van Loon a further three minutes and two seconds behind him.