Former Tottenham and Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas withdrew from his first Dakar Rally after a crashing during the fourth stage in Peru on Wednesday, reported BBC Sport. The 40-year-old sustained a back injury and was taken to hospital for further scans and checks. However, no broken bones were detected during the initial check-up.
The former Porto manager was two hours 18 minutes and 50 seconds behind the leader after the third stage. However, in the fourth, his Toyota Hilux hit a sand dune at the San Juan de Marcona stage in Peru.
“Andre was taken to the hospital with a back injury. It was unfortunate for Andre, who was making a very positive debut in the Dakar,” said Overdrive team director Jean-Marc Fortin.
Villas-Boas was trying to revive a family tradition, his uncle Pedro Villas-Boas drove in the race in 1982 in a 4x4. He was partnered by fellow countryman Ruben Faria who is also a two-wheel specialist and finished second in the bike category in the 2013 race