Climber hoping to get on the Dakar podium: everything is as planned so far

“Halfway there is something that is already good, the results are not bad either. Of course there is still a lot of work to be done and I think the heavy part is still waiting, ”said the Delfi rider, adding that the fact that both the motorcycle is worn out and he feels tired will definitely contribute to the difficulties.

Every day is like a marathon

A. Gelažninkas did not hide that every day, like a Dakar Rally Marathon, for him, a single motorcyclist competing in the class cannot use any additional help: all problems must be solved independently, and if he does not go out, ask help your colleagues. According to the rider, this rule is probably the most difficult, because even when fatigue comes back haunted by the speed stretch, you cannot rest until you recover and prepare for tomorrow’s bike.

“And if you don’t do them and the bike breaks down, it will be the stupidest thing the rally will end,” emphasized the interlocutor.

Also, everyday motorcyclists are at risk. A. Gelažninkas, who came to help the fallen and injured motorcyclist, had to see him up close with his own eyes while he was resuscitated. According to the athlete, fortunately the resuscitation was successful, but the status of the motorcyclist is not yet clear, as he is immersed in an artificial coma.

“Risk is an everyday companion, because every day there are moments when you barely survive or fall. Good when they end up happy. I fell last year and it took me a lot to finish the speed section, so this year I am trying to avoid unnecessary risks ”, explained the interlocutor.

After last year, when two motorcyclists were killed in the Dakar Rally, this year they must ride in the speed section with special vests that, in the event of a collision, can be deployed and protect the rider from serious injury or even death. The Lithuanian had to test how it works.

“The first impression was that the motorcycle hit me, a tremendous blow. But when I turned around and saw that the motorcycle was quite far away, I realized that my vest had unfolded. Every day there are” N “situations in the ones that seem like the rally is going to end, “said A. Gelažninkas, adding that after unfolding the vest, I had to pedal very uncomfortably for a while, because the inflated vest made movement difficult.

Save effort in the end

The Lithuanian arrived at the Dakar Rally with three sets of tires, so he understood after reading the rules. It turned out that only three sets of tires can be transported by Original by Motul trucks, and if the participant has who transports the tires, they can have many more.

“I didn’t know that and it really saddened me, especially when I spoke to other participants who were planning to run with six and eight sets. So I found where I could buy tires and stopped storing them, said A. Gelažninkas, who now changes tires for new ones every other day of the rally.

When asked what strategy he is choosing for the second half of the rally, A. Gelažininkas said that he is still trying to drive while saving energy and motorcycle, because he believes that those who will save more force will do better in the final. At the same time, they also don’t want to fall behind the fastest in their class.

“It just came to our notice then. But I will definitely not go over my head for the next three days and stay as strong as possible by the end of the rally, he explained.” In that case, I will be cooler and be able to maintain the pace, as I did throughout the rally, when most of them are already tired and can’t keep up. “