Benediktas Vanagas: “I know what it means to be on the court, so I did not hesitate”

B.Vanagas already lost two spare wheels at the start of the speed section: one tire was punctured and air came out of the other. He stopped to look once, thinking he had lowered the steering wheel, but it turned out it was just a sensor error. He also got lost with Palmeiro, and about 25 kilometers before the finish he stopped pulling on V.Žala, who had stopped on the track.

“If the prologue was fast and fluid, today we experienced the real Dakar in every possible way. I saw Vaidotas and stopped to see how he could help. When he pointed to the rope, everything was clear. I know what it means to be standing on the track, so I did not hesitate, “said the athlete about the help provided.

Breaking the wheels slowed the pace

During the live broadcast from the bivouac, B. Vanag admitted that he broke the rear reducer, which will cost an impressive amount – 30-35 thousand. euros. “We took it away from Toyota, we will get a bill after the Dakar.” I’m already very ‘happy’ about that, “said Vanag.

He also said that he would also have to check the car’s clutch as towing another car is not very healthy.

Vanag joked that in Saudi Arabia, things are probably called by other names. Although the organizers promised that 40 percent. the speed section will consist of dirt, mostly stones. Already at the beginning of the speed section, both wheels decided to brake.

“I may be sad, but today things didn’t go according to plan. On the other hand, I’m not in Dakar for the first time, so I know it’s all part of the game.” You want everything to go well, but it’s usually different. said the pilot.

The organizers use GPS equipment and this year they refuse to accurately capture B. Vanaga with F. Palmeiro. The lost data reached the competition system much later and only the results finally recorded on each tag allowed the team’s fans to breathe easier.

Intrigue from the first kilometers

Vaidotas Damage was determined to repeat his performance, which had come as a surprise to many, in the first speed section of the Dakar last year. After covering 71 kilometers, he had a 30-second lead over Stephane Peterhansel, who was in second place at the time. The Lithuanian maintained an impressive pace, but after the Mini clutch failure he could no longer drive and withdrew from the fight for the highest positions.

The lack of top-level competition this year in Dakar has led to an especially high level of enthusiasm and willingness to compete. Carlos Sainz also joined the fight between S. Peterhansel and V. Žala in the inaugural speed section. The 58-year-old Spaniard broke the circle on his Mini buggy in the prologue and started from just 28th on Sunday.

Halfway through the speed section, first and third place were assigned a little over 1 minute. The energetic start of C. Sainz in the second part of the stage brought the first victory to the X-Raid Mini team. Prologue leader Nasser Al-Attiyah and Toyota Hilux are more than 12 minutes away from him.

Many opportunities to get lost

The route of the first speed section was mainly in the desert with tracks left by individual cars. This did not alleviate the navigation challenges too much, as crews needed to find their bearings quickly by choosing a path between valleys and crossing intersections known only to locals.

On Sunday, the athletes had to travel a total of 623 kilometers from Jeddah to Bisha, of which 277 kilometers were the sprint stage. There weren’t many stony sections typical of Saudi Arabia, but participants who wanted to save their tires had to be very careful.

Motorcyclists had to be especially careful, for whom a new rule was introduced in 2021: they can change a maximum of six rear tires in the 12 stages. In this way, the organizers try to reduce the pace of the race and guarantee the safety of the athletes.