The timed section of Friday's sixth stage of the Dakar Rally has been cancelled due to rain and unseasonal snow.
The 394km run from Fiambala to Copiapo, crossing the Andes mountains and entering Chile from Argentina, was planned to contain 247km of timed special.
Organisers said: "Due to the bad weather continuing over the Andes Cordillera, the Chilean authorities were forced to close, for the night, the border at Paso de San Francisco, situated at 4700 metres.
"In order to guarantee the security of the competitors and those following the rally, the organisers have decided to organise a convoy for all vehicles."
Thursday's timed fifth stage was shortened due to overnight rain making parts of the course unpassable.
The race will resume in Copiapo on Saturday with Stephane Peterhansel leading the car category, Cyril Despres the motorcycles, Gerard de Rooy the trucks and Tom Maffei the quads.
