Libor Pletka had hoped to make his rally raid debut at the South African Safari Rally in his first step toward racing the Dakar Rally. Unfortunately, those plans have been disrupted for now and he’ll have to try again in the future.

Pletka crashed during shakedown on Saturday, launching him over his KTM 450’s handlebars at 80–90 km/h. He isn’t sure what caused the accident, surmising “there must have been something on the ground that I didn’t see” and hit.

The impact broke his collarbone and caused severe back pain.

“Unfortunately, I can’t continue with this injury,” said Pletka.

He was due to race for BAS World KTM Racing Team. Primarily a motocross rider who’s competed in the South Bohemian Motocross Championship and FIM European Motocross Championship, Pletka announced his plans to vie for a Dakar spot in March.

With Pletka’s withdrawal, BAS World will instead have four riders—Konrad Dąbrowski, Michael Docherty, Filip Grot, and Nathan Rafferty—for the South African Safari Rally. The race begins with the Prologue on Monday.

Featured image credit: BAS World KTM Racing Team