Martin Macik Jr., Frantisek Tomasek, and David Svanda secured another stage victory after conquering fields of lava rocks and canyons during a 400+ km fourth stage. Joining them on the virtual podium were two other trucks from Sedlcany’s technology center. In the overall standings, Benny (the truck) and the crew are holding onto first place and have extended their lead.

Lava Rocks Pose a Daunting Challenge

The first half of the route, leading from Al Henakiyah to the AlUla region, forced the entire field to navigate sharp lava rocks notorious for wreaking havoc on tyres. Unfortunately, even “Benny” couldn’t escape unscathed. Despite this, the MM Technology crossed the finish line successfully, with the final kilometers providing a thrilling showdown between all three EVO4 trucks built at the Sedlcany technology center.

“Nobody likes those sharp rocks—they’re a nightmare for tyres, and we weren’t spared either,” admitted driver Martin Macík Jr. “We did suffer some damage, but we managed to recover time in the canyons and mountains. In the second half, we went head-to-head with the other two EVO4 trucks. In the end, we all finished one after the other in first, second, and third place. I’m thrilled about the victory and extending our lead in the overall standings.”

A Night Under the Stars and DIY Repairs

A hallmark of marathon stages is the lack of external assistance at the bivouac, including servicing. Crews must rely solely on their skills and the tools they carry.

“Another night under the stars awaits us, and it’s coming pretty soon after the 48h Chrono,” said mechanic David Svanda. “I’ve got my overalls and everything they allowed us to bring. We’ll dive into repairs on Benny, do some maintenance, and see how it holds up in tomorrow’s stage.”

Rest Day in Sight

Given the relentless pace of this year’s Dakar, competitors are eagerly anticipating the rest day on the 10th January in Hail. Before then, the teams will tackle a 428 km stage as they move toward the next challenge.