Shinozuka begins recovery

Former Dakar Rally winner Kenjiro Shinozuka was today recovering in hospital and off the critical list after crashing out of the race.

The Japanese driver suffered head injuries when his Mitsubishi landed heavily after flying off a collapsed sand dune and falling 10 metres before cartwheeling.

Shinozuka has been taken off the critical list following surgery in Tunis - and co-driver Thierry Delli Zotti, from France, is also recovering from his less serious injuries.

A statement on www.dakar.com read: “Shinozuka is considered out of danger. He had surgery during the night, and his state of health is satisfactory."