Copiapo, Chile - Spanish motorcyclist Cristobal Guerrero remains in a coma following his crash Tuesday on the 10th stage of the Dakar Rally through the Atacama Desert.

"The rider landed with full force on his head in the crash," Ana Quiroga, head of the Atacama regional health authority, told Chilean radio Wednesday.

Guerrero lapsed into a coma following the accident on his KTM motorbike after 160 kilometres of the 467km-long stage and was airlifted to a hospital in Copiapo.

"I only want to finish the race. God willing, the Rally will end well," the Argentine newspaper La Nacion quoted Guerrero as saying prior to the Dakar Rally.

French motorcyclist Pascal Terry and two drivers from a transport vehicle have already been killed during this year's rally, while at least 58 people have been killed during previous editions.

The 11th stage of the Dakar Rally from Copiapo to Fiambala in Argentina Wednesday has been cancelled due to poor weather conditions.

The competitors will now drive the 680-kilometre-long route that reaches an altitude of 4,700 metres but will not race their vehicles. (dpa)