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On Tuesday morning, Arūnas Gelažninkas, representing the Zigmas Dakar team, organized a presentation of his team and the Dakar plans in Vilnius at the Comfort Hotel.
And the most observant soon noticed that the color of the number on the A.Gelažninkas motorcycle was red.
“It’s red because it represents a certain class, in this case Original by Motul. I will be starting in this class for the first time, and it is unique in that athletes cannot get extra help from the country while driving. I will have to take care of the motorcycle myself, that is, I will repair it myself at the end of each day. Assistance is only available to athletes who run in this class. There will be 35 of them this year, “said A. Gelažninkas.
The athlete decided to ride in this class after gaining experience, although he had heard questions about participating in it since his first Dakar Rally.
A.Gelažninkas assured that the Dakar needs to prepare throughout the year, especially physically. So I’ve been training a lot lately.
Number of Arūnas Gelažninkas in 2021. At the Dakar Rally
The bike is the same, but updated
The motorcycle that A. Gelažninkas will attempt to raid on the Dakar in 2021 is the same one he used to beat the sand dunes of Saudi Arabia this year.
“The motorcycle is the same, this year’s Dakar Rally, which had the help of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports. However, it is completely updated. As you know, the engine has already been replaced after nine speeds in Saudi Arabia , so it is still in good condition.
Wear parts have been replaced; is updated as needed and possible. I think its technical condition is really very good, but in general it remains the same, ”says A. Gelažninkas.
The uniqueness of the “lonely” class
The motorcyclist assures that as much as he had to see the “lonely” class and the athletes running in it, he never thought he would have to participate himself.
“We will have a closed area from which we will not be able to move the motorcycle, it is forbidden to carry or bring spare parts. Even if we ride a motorcycle, we will have to notify the caretaker, who will give permission to leave the area. Also with refueling, permits will be required.
There is also a tire limit: we can have three sets of them, which is actually very little. For example, this year I used nine sets of tires in Saudi Arabia, “said A. Gelažninkas.
Balys Bardauskas was the first to try his luck
The solo class was previously called Malle’s motto. Translated from French, the word “Malle” means box or travel suitcase, which is what perfectly reflects the essence of this class and, as it may seem to some, romance. Motorcyclists who choose to win the Dakar Rally in this classification cannot enlist the help of anyone and must store all their belongings except the motorcycle in an 80-liter box.
Bivake “lonely” sleeps in a separate area, with a makeshift repair shop set up next to the tents.
Everything an Original by Motul athlete can do at the Dakar is on a very short list. The organizers undertake to transport every day the boxes, sleeping bags and tents of all the “singles” and the set of wheels and tires from one bivouac to another.
2019 Balys Bardauskas started in the Dakar Lonely class in Peru. However, he suffered a serious injury in the last stage, broke both hands and did not finish.
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