Manxman Jamie McCanney’s Dakar Rally bid is over.

The 26-year-old Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Official Team rider was forced to retire yesterday (Thursday) with mechanical problems.

It is thought that his bike suffered a snapped clutch basket that he was unable to fix during the 662-kilometre stage between Riyadh and Al Qaisumah.

After a steady start to the 13-day event in Saudi Arabia, McCanney was securely top-20 placed in the bike class having accumulated the 11th quickest time in Saturday’s short prologue and then encountered GPS problems on Sunday that lost him around 15 minutes.

He dropped to 19th as a consequence, 26 minutes down on the leader.

Monday and Tuesday were better days for the former Isle of Man Sportsman of the Year, and he remained in 19th place on official timing after stage four on Wednesday - second of the Brits to former winner Sam Sunderland in seventh spot.

Then came the news late Thursday morning that he was overdue, having dropped a lot of time. Confirmation then filtered through of his retirement.

In a post on social media after the stage, McCanney said: ’Sadly my Dakar 2021 is over 7 days earlier than expected due to a technical issue. ß??

’Thank you to everyone who supported me over these past 5 days and if you know me you know I would have done anything to stay in the race, but sometimes it’s out of your control and today was one of those days.’

Things went better for fellow Manxman David Knight who remained mid-pack in 44th place overall on the HT Rally Raid Husqvarna.

l Knighter is being supported by UGGLY & CO, a clothing brand created and woven from a passion for extreme sports including skiing, skateboarding, motorsports and downhill mountain biking.

’After his title sponsor pulled out, the company approached him with one aim in mind, helping Knighter to the Dakar,’ said spokesman Tooey Morris yesterday.

UGGLY & CO has created the ’Knighter 101 cap’ (pictured) to help all those at home support David in Saudi Arabia, whilst also helping the Dakar fund.

Continue to support David Knight’s Dakar bid through www.ugglyandco.com