“It’s been my dream since 2011”

Arunas Gelazninkas is a well-known figure on the Dakar, earning respect from his fellow competitors by winning the Original by Motul category for motorcycles without assistance no less than twice, the last time in 2022. Then, when in 2023 they changed the rules, taking some of the top malle moto regulars out of the rankings, Arunus decided to give the race a miss. Now like many top motorcycle competitors before him, for 2024 he’s back as a co-driver. The big difference compared with other co-drivers is that Arunas will be navigating for his wife... It would seem that in Lithuanian everybody is mad about the Dakar and Arunas’ wife is no exception. She has been dreaming of the Dakar since 2011 and has been several times on the race as media, but this will be her first time racing the event.

Emilija and Arunas Gelazninkas, talking at the same time! “At first I was a little bit scared to be in the passenger seat but now she is more experienced and is a good driver. I have a problem with my hips due to injuries so I’m not sure I’d be able to do another Dakar on a bike anyway.” “He always says that, but this summer he went to do a rally in China that lasted 10 days and finished second.” “We’ve done 6 rallies in Poland and Lithuania and we raced in the Baja Aragon.” “We finished mid-pack because we had some problems with the car but the speed was OK.” “First of all we want to finish, but a podium would be good.” “If you try hard anything is possible.”