The second stage of the grueling Dakar Rally is set to test competitors today with a challenging 504-kilometer course thru the AlUla heartland of Saudi Arabia [[1]]. featuring a mix of gravel, sand, and rocky terrain, the stage demands both speed and precision from drivers and riders. Several Lithuanian teams are among those preparing to take on the challenge, with motorcycles set to begin the race shortly after 7:00 AM local time [[2]].
Competitors in the second stage of the Dakar Rally will face a challenging 504-kilometer course, with 400 kilometers designated as a special speed stage. Organizers report that 56% of the speed stage will be gravel, nearly 30% sand, and around 14% composed of pure rock surfaces, with the remaining kilometers used for transit.
“As you head deeper into the AlUla heartland, the landscape quickly becomes mountainous: the horizon line is undulating in all directions. The first 200 kilometers will feature many changes in speed, with some sections being very fast, but the twisty, rocky terrain will prevent maintaining a consistent 20-kilometer pace. As yesterday, a stop in the technical assistance zone to fit new tires may be beneficial for some,” Dakar organizers stated.
Lithuanian teams will begin the race earlier today, with the first vehicles starting shortly after 7:00 AM local time. The first group to depart will be the motorcycles:
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Dovydas Karka will be the first to start the speed stage at 7:15 AM.
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Nerimantas Jucius will follow at 7:21 AM.
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Edvard Sokolovski is scheduled to start at 7:40 AM.
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Saulius Klevinskas will begin at 7:55 AM.
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Gediminas Šatkus will start at 8:05 AM.
Cars, buggies, and trucks will follow, with several Lithuanian competitors also participating. Their start times are as follows:
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Benediktas Vanagas and Aisvydas Paliukėnas will begin the race at 9:46 AM.
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Rokas Baciuška will start at 10:09 AM.
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Vaidotas Žala is scheduled to start at 10:25 AM.
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Mindaugas Sidabras and Ernestas Česokas will begin at 10:50 AM.
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Gintas Petrus will start at 10:57 AM.
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Albertas Veliamovičius will begin his co-driver duties at 11:00 AM.
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Artūras Ardavičius will start at 11:03 AM.
Follow the rally live with updates from “Delfi.”
