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Madrid - There is a "very high chance" the Dakar Rally will return next year to South America, following this year's event in Argentina and Chile, organisers said on Wednesday.
"The chances of returning to Latin America, to Argentina and indeed to Chile, are very high," Yann Le Moenner, delegate director general of organisers Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), said in Madrid.
"This (year's) Dakar was a success - we respected the nomad element of the Dakar and there is a great temptation to bring the participants to other territories - but the chances of a return to Latin America are very high," Le Moenner told a press conference.
This year's event was switched from Africa following the cancellation of the 2008 edition in the wake of a terrorist attack in Mauritania which left four French tourists dead.
Le Moenner recognised, nonetheless, that "Africa (is) in the Dakar's genes and made the Dakar" and that, even if for the time being a return to Africa was not being envisaged "we will return to Africa as soon as we can".
Spanish motorcycle champion Marc Coma said he would like to return to race in Africa, as "that would mean there was no longer a terrorist threat".
Le Moenner envisaged confirming the venue for 2010 next month.
"The chances of returning to Latin America, to Argentina and indeed to Chile, are very high," Yann Le Moenner, delegate director general of organisers Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), said in Madrid.
"This (year's) Dakar was a success - we respected the nomad element of the Dakar and there is a great temptation to bring the participants to other territories - but the chances of a return to Latin America are very high," Le Moenner told a press conference.
This year's event was switched from Africa following the cancellation of the 2008 edition in the wake of a terrorist attack in Mauritania which left four French tourists dead.
Le Moenner recognised, nonetheless, that "Africa (is) in the Dakar's genes and made the Dakar" and that, even if for the time being a return to Africa was not being envisaged "we will return to Africa as soon as we can".
Spanish motorcycle champion Marc Coma said he would like to return to race in Africa, as "that would mean there was no longer a terrorist threat".
Le Moenner envisaged confirming the venue for 2010 next month.
