The 46-year-old, who was participating in the rally for the second time, crashed in the dunes, the event organisers said in a statement posted on social media.

“He was quickly attended to by the doctors from one of the medical helicopters, who transported him to Zagora hospital, where tragically he passed away,” the statement added.

Baudry’s team Nomade Racing said they were deeply saddened by his death.

“Our most sincere thoughts are with his wife and children,” they wrote on Facebook.