It's been a dozen years since we have had a child death on the race. We have taken a lot of measures to improve security, we send out vehicles at the start of the stages and we are always sending out information but an accident is always possible on this type of terrain.

The death of spectators is extremely painful and in those areas where a lot of work has been done to cut out the risks. Accidents on the course are different. The people sum up the dangers. They are (voluntarily) involved in a sport full of risks and therefore they know the risks they are taking.

The Senegalese authorities insist that the Dakar continues as always with a podium finish and the prize presentations because this is a national event in Senegal.

The 2007 Dakar will definitely go ahead but we will do everything in our power to prevent these sorts of accidents happening again.

The 2007 Dakar will definitely go ahead. But we will do everything in our power to prevent these sorts of accidents happening again.

Of course there will be a Dakar 2007 with a great deal of work on security and prevention.