Bryce Menzies forced to end Dakar dream

Bryce Menzies has been forced to withdraw from next week's Dakar Rally.

The American off-road racing star injured his knee during a world record jump attempt in August.

Menzies crashed during one of his final attempts, fracturing his shoulder in addition to damaging his knees.

"I am beyond disappointed to have to withdraw from starting this year's Dakar," Menzies said. "It has been a lifelong goal of mine that will have to wait another year before I can attempt. I knew it would it be tough to get back to 100% after my injuries from the world record New Frontier jump and unfortunately I just couldn't get to a point where I'd be both comfortable in the car for that long and technically able to compete at the level warranted to win. It also wasn't worth re-injuring anything and then being out for the more races this season.

"I'm really looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of my MINI later this year as we put in the homework needed to get ready for 2018 Dakar. I also want to say a special thank you to Sven Quandt at X Raid for sticking with me as I overcome this injury and Helmut Wahl at Red Bull and Carrie Woodward at BFGoodrich for continuing to support my rally efforts."

Menzies X-Raid Mini will now be piloted by Orlando Terranova of Argentina, who finished fifth in the 2013 and 2014 editions of the Dakar Rally.