Dakar Rally 2014: week one – in pictures

Mark Davidson of Australia rides his KTM during the departure ceremony of the Dakar Rally 2014 Photograph: Jean-paul Pelissier/Reuters

Orlando Terranova of Argentina races on stage one between Rosario and San Luis, Argentina Photograph: FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images

Patrick Sireyjol of France and Francois-Xavier Beguin of Belgium drive through a shallow creek on day one in Santa Rosa de Calamuchita, Argentina Photograph: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Yamaha rider Juan Carlos Carignani of Italy rides his quad through the mud during the first stage Photograph: Victor R. Caivano/AP

Lucas Bonetto of Argentina for Honda Bonetto TDF on day two Photograph: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

France's Pascal Thomasse is helped by supporters during stage two between San Luis and San Rafael, Argentina Photograph: FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images

Paulo Goncalves of Portugal gets airborne on his Honda motorcycle during stage two Photograph: JEAN-PAUL PELISSIER/AFP/Getty Images

Yamaha rider Sergio Petrone of Argentina pours water on his head during a refueling stop in the third stage Photograph: Victor R. Caivano/AP

Belgian rider Eric Palante during the third stage. Palante, aged 50, was found dead on the route of Dakar's fifth stage between Chilecito and Tucuman. Photograph: Paolo Aguilar/EPA

France's Jean Karl Atzert arrives in the acommodation halls after stage three Photograph: FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images

A competitor rides his quad during the fifth stage from Chilecito to Tucuman Photograph: JEAN-PAUL PELISSIER/REUTERS

Robby Gordon and Kellon Walch for Hummer Team Speed Energy compete during day five Photograph: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Paulo Goncalves of Portugal reacts with misery in front of his flaming Honda during the fifth stage Photograph: REUTERS

Juan Garcia Pedrero (top) has no time to stop and help Photograph: FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images

Christian Lavieille of France drives his Haval during the sixth stage of the Dakar Rally 2014 from Tucuman to Salta Photograph: JEAN-PAUL PELISSIER/REUTERS

Polish driver Adam Malysz and co-driver Rafal Marton compete during stage six Photograph: FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images

Gerard De Rooy and his co-pilots Tom Colsoul and Rodewalk Darek in action during the sixth stage, as a helicopter swoops behind them Photograph: NICOLAS AGUILERA/EPA

Pep Roca Vila, Peter Van Eerd and Xavi Colome Roqueta tackle tricky terrain as spectators watch Photograph: NICOLAS AGUILERA/EPA