Barreda hits out at "watered-down" Dakar challenge

Persistent bad weather and a subsequent landslide forced the cancellation of the planned 977km Salta-Chilecito "Super Belen" stage, which was to be the longest of the South American event.

Rally director Etienne Lavigne insisted organisers were left with no choice but to cancel Wednesday's test, but Honda rider Barreda feels it should have been delayed rather than abandoned altogether.

"I don't know if the solution is to cancel [the stage]," said Barreda, who currently lies ninth overall after taking a one-hour penalty for illegal refuelling in the first week of the rally.

"I think it's an important stage to have. They should have moved the stage to another day, stop the Dakar and continue the race on a different day.

"Because if they start cancelling one day after the other, the truth is that the race is going to be watered down."

He added: "It was the most significant stage of the Dakar. Even if I were leading I'd like to have it.

"Whether you like it or not, the race is ending up being watered down in terms of competition. It's lacking timed hours. I don't think cancelling is the solution.

"Maybe stop the Dakar for a day until everything is fine and then resume competition, because cancelling is the easy choice."

Competitors are set to spend Wednesday regrouping at Chilecito, before taking on three more stages before the conclusion of the rally in Buenos Aires on January 14.