The first stage of the Dakar Speed: the five most important events of today

1. The whims of “Mažylis”

The most nervous, probably the first speed section, cost the crew of Vaidotas Žala and Paulo Fiuza, a few tens of kilometers before the “Mažylis” finish line broke down and the drivers were forced to wait for help.

And that other helping hand was extended by another Lithuanian: Benediktas Vanagas. These approximately 25 km led the Agrorodeo crew to the finish line and then to the bivouac.

Žilvinas Pekarskas / 15min photo / SS1 finish

Vaidotas Damage “Mini” is already bivouac. The mechanics removed the gearbox. Replacement clutch. According to co-driver Paul Fiuza, engine problems can only be sensor related. This is good news, as serious engine problems would mean leaving the Dakar or a hefty fine.

The initial version was such that the car’s clutch broke down, but pulling it to the finish, according to V.Žala, also revealed engine problems. The team’s mechanics dismantle “Mažylis” and find out what really happened and if this crew will still have a chance to participate in this year’s Dakar.

2. Help from Benediktas Vanagas to Vaidotas Damage

“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 on the track, so I didn’t hesitate ”, – B. Vanagas spoke about the assistance provided after the finish line.

Since the broker put it on his social network, he couldn’t stop.

“We saw him stopped 25 km to the finish. I stopped to ask how he could help. He asked him to stretch. When you drive a TOP10 result, you shouldn’t do that, but I know what it means to be on the track and wait. You have to fight. on the court, not waiting for the opponent’s failures. I hope you get along well. We lose what we have lost (I hope). “

3. Arūnas Gelažninkas – TOP3 among singles

Arūnas Gelažninkas, the only motorcyclist from Lithuania, reminded many participants about himself in the first section.

“We returned to the bivouac in the afternoon, everything is not bad. On Sunday we traveled about 277 kilometers. Let’s refuel 177 kilometers. There were many rocks in that area, it was difficult to drive. So I drove carefully and did not make any mistakes in the first part , I managed not to fall.

In the second part, I got lost a couple of times 100 kilometers away, so I lost five, maybe ten full minutes. Through them, I was overtaken by slower riders, and even the ATV was interlaced, so I got some of the dust. In my class today I am 3 and 12 seconds behind. second place. Everything is according to plan, only the first day “, – said A. Gelažninkas.

4. Laisvydas Kancius debut

L. Kancius, who is participating in his first Dakar, reached the finish line of the first speed section. As he said 15 minutes For the journalist Žilvinas Pekarskas, the first 200 kilometers were good, he kept a good pace, but then he got lost and lost a lot of time.

The rear wheel of the ATV also broke, but this did not cause major problems and allowed the entire section to be overcome.

In total, it took 5 hours. 18 min. He is separated from the leader at 1 pm 16 min. Preliminarily, the Lithuanian ranks 13th.

5. GPS strigimai

This year, the GPS systems that track the participants and transmit the intermediate results of the crews to the results system are stalling again. In the first section of speed, the fans of our country Dakar were again alarmed by Benedict Vanags when he disappeared from the radar.

His mechanics later confirmed that the team was moving smoothly, and the organizers warned of possible GPS failures before kick-off and installed additional tracking equipment on the Hilux. Vanags has faced similar upheavals in previous years. Other teams, which sometimes disappear from the radar, are no exception.

That is why B. Vanagas, who was flying over the mountains, appeared today, when at that time the entire line was moving along the route.

GPS problems