Rider: Dakar is a great tool to promote motorcycling, it’s fun to be a part of it

A. Gelažninkas made it through the entire rally in 55 hours. 4:23 min. and was ranked 21st in the final ranking. He was 7 hours behind Kevin Benavides, Argentine winner. 46:09 min.

We remind you that until the beginning of 2021, A. Gelažninkas’ personal best result on the Dakar Rally was 24th (2019).

The Lithuanian, called a Dakar ambulance, did not value his actions. A. Gelažninkas, who came to help the rivals in almost every speed section, believes that many motorcyclists participating in the Dakar have such stories. He had no doubt that his colleagues would help him if necessary.

The athlete who returned to Lithuania with the title is delighted with the huge support from the fans. According to him, this victory in the Dakar Rally will contribute significantly to the promotion of motorcycling in our country.

A. Gelažninkas, who returned to Lithuania late on Saturday night, shared his emotions and overwhelmed impressions of the Dakar Rally, which ended on Friday.

– What are the emotions when you return home ?, the journalists asked A. Gelažninkas.

– The initial emotion subsided, but after seeing a group of journalists, good feelings reappeared. I’m very happy. I did more than I expected.

I feel immense support and appreciation. I am glad that this is important to people, I hope it is a new step in the popularization of this sport: motorcycling.

The Dakar Rally is a great tool for this. I think this is not the end and there is something to do.

– How do you assess the experience in the “lonely” class?

– It wasn’t boring, there was something to do all the time. I went back, ate, prepared the bike for a new day, got into bed and got up early again.

Those two weeks of competition flew by.

– You are the first Lithuanian to come back from the Dakar with the title, what does this victory in the “individual” category mean to you?

– I am happy, both for the victory and for the great support. It shows that it is important to people and I am glad to be a part of it.

– Maybe next year you will no longer compete in singles?

– It will be seen that this Dakar has yet to be completed. A new season awaits you and you don’t know how things are going here. There is still a long time until the next Dakar.

– How is this Dakar different from previous years?

– You can tell this was easier because I did not experience serious falls. Last year I participated in part of the rally with an injured hand, accompanied by pain.

It was very hard. Although the tracks were tougher this year, the Dakar itself was easier for me, I did better and the result shows.

– They called you “Ambulance” of the Dakar, you came often to help others.

– There are such unwritten rules. Of course, if you compete but stop to provide the help another contestant needs, perhaps saving lives, the judges will make up for that time. I don’t know why that help shouldn’t be provided. On the other hand, I know that if I needed help, others would do the same.

It is not something exceptional and heroic, everyone does that. I think that all Dakar riders have similar stories that I have had to live on the track.

– The rally failed to avoid the victim, why do you think it happened?

– In Dakar, the motorcycle discipline is very dangerous, the speeds are enormous, on the track, a set of dangers. Almost never 100 percent. The health of motorcyclists will be ensured unless some special safety technology emerges. But it is hardly possible. We cannot avoid complete safety on the streets, which is why, for the same reasons, Dakar is no exception.