The 47th edition of the Dakar Rally kicked off with some of the toughest stages right out of the gate. These challenges provided Martin Macik Jr., Frantisek Tomasek, and David Svanda a two-hour lead over their competitors, which they held until the finish line. This marks the team’s second consecutive Dakar victory, bringing the trophy back to the Czech Republic again. Impressively, all three MM Technology EVO4 trucks finished in the TOP 4, with a total of five trucks from Sedlcany securing spots in the TOP 7.

Starting with the Toughest Challenges

The organizers pulled no punches at the beginning of this year’s Dakar, pushing the field through the grueling 48h Chrono special stage and marathon stages—all without any support from teams’ mechanics. The black-and-white rally truck Benny (one of the new EVO4s) was impeccably prepared for the test, as was its crew. These punishing stages helped the crew of Macik, Tomasek, and Svanda build their two-hour advantage.

“The early stages were incredibly demanding for the machinery. We had tough stages back-to-back in the first half, and we said to ourselves that if Benny could get through those, he could handle anything. And he did! Throughout the entire Dakar, we didn’t face any major technical issues—just minor ones like a broken windshield or a bent steering rod, but that’s expected,” explained mechanic David Svanda.

Maintaining the Lead

The middle stages of this year’s Dakar offered a mix of terrains, from razor-sharp lava rocks to gravel and soft sands. These conditions put the Prometeon S02 Rally tyres to the ultimate test, and they delivered, enabling the Sedlcany team to maintain their lead without significant challenges, regardless of the route’s conditions.

“I’m thrilled with this victory, which wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our main partner, Prometeon. The S02 Rally tyre, which we developed together, withstood the harsh Dakar conditions and brought us to first place. I’m looking forward to the challenges we’ll tackle together in the future,” said pilot Martin Macik Jr.

Across the Dunes to the Finish

In the final stages, the trucks truly became the “ships of the desert,” conquering massive sand dunes in the Empty Quarter. One segment even ventured into uncharted territory. The eleventh stage was especially unique, as the trucks were the first to take the course, leaving no tracks to follow. Navigation became a critical challenge.

“Navigation this year was incredibly tough. The organizers really put effort into setting navigational traps, and we often had to think hard to avoid them. Still, we only struggled with finding a few waypoints, which we managed to locate in the end, so I’d call it a success. The only penalties we got were for speeding—Martin just wants to fly,” navigator Frantisek Tomasek recounted with a smile.

Sedlcany at the Core

The combination of a meticulously prepared, reliable truck and a well-coordinated crew secured MM Technology their second consecutive win in the truck category. The Sedlcany influence is noticeable throughout the leaderboard, with five trucks from MM Technology finishing in the TOP 7. Notably, the new EVO4 models claimed three of the TOP 4 spots, cementing their reputation for performance and reliability.