The Dakar held its 10th stage on Wednesday. Pilot Martin Macik, navigator Frantisek Tomasek and mechanic David Svanda from the MM Technology team finished the speed trial, which measured only 114 km, in 4th place.

One of the shortest and saddest stages of this year’s Dakar

The racers of the MM Technology team set out for today’s time trial early in the morning, tired after yesterday’s demanding stage, which they partly spent in a flooded riverbed. A liaison of 510 km and one of the shortest Dakar’s special stages of only 114 km awaited them. “We are at the finish line. It was nothing too exciting. Just 114 km in the sand. Level 1 and level 2 dunes. There were supposed to be level 3 dunes too, but we didn’t see them anywhere. We have chased each other with Jarda Valtr for a while. Otherwise, we drove alone the whole time, no one in sight. Navigationally, we managed the stage fine. We had to go around about two dunes. They could not be climbed in soft sand. We are heading to the bivouac. There’s no mobile phone signal coverage,” said Martin Macik only briefly.

The next two stages, the 11th and 12th, will be marathons and should take the competitors into the high dunes of the Empty Quarter, one of the most extensive deserts. Crews will spend Thursday night in makeshift desert conditions, separated from their teams and any assistance. They will have to handle all the repairs after Thursday’s special stage by themselves.

Today was marked by an unfortunate incident that occurred on the track yesterday. We are truly sorry something like that happened. Our sincere condolences to the family and the loved ones of the Italian fan. And at the same time, we wish a lot of strength to Ales Loprais, who got into a situation that, according to available information, he could not influence in any way. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by yesterday’s events.