Following a challenging day marked by a series of setbacks, including significant mechanical fatigue, Ales Loprais and his team found themselves relegated to third position in the truck category of the Dakar Rally. The team’s journey through the fifth stage culminated with a 90-minute deficit, reflecting the trials of one of the world’s most grueling off-road competitions.
On January 9, the fifth stage concluded the first week of the Dakar Rally 2025. This segment took participants from the marathon bivouac in AlUla to ?a’il. After consecutive days of relentless racing, the competitors looked forward to the upcoming Rest Day in ?a’il, a brief reprieve from the intense challenges of the rally.
Seven days of rallying had already tested the limits of every team, with over 2,500 kilometers of selective sections completed. These stages demanded hours of intense focus, including a two-day 48-hour Chrono Stage, which left no room for errors.
For Ales Loprais, along with teammates David Kripal and Darek Rodewald, Thursday's 428-kilometer selective section was particularly demanding. Over five hours and forty-two minutes, the crew navigated a mix of fast plateaus, sandy stretches, rugged mountain paths, and punishing rocky terrain.
Driving their black-and-red Powerstar truck, the team maintained second position for a significant part of the stage, thanks in part to the cooperation of their competitors.
“Miklos Kovacs and William de Groot deserve immense thanks for lending us spare tires today,” Loprais commented. With three punctures from the previous day and no opportunity to replenish their supplies due to the marathon stage restrictions, their generosity allowed the team to press forward.
The stage, described by Loprais as one of the most stunning of his career, featured strong navigation and strategic overtaking. Yet, the euphoria was tempered by equipment failures. “We were down to one functioning leaf spring, with the others succumbing to fatigue. It was an incredibly demanding stage,” Loprais added.
The need for a temporary repair and cautious driving during the final stretch cost the team valuable time, leaving them 90 minutes behind the stage winner. This setback saw them slip from second to third in the overall standings, now trailing leader Martin Macik by 2 hours and 16 minutes, and falling just over 20 minutes behind Mitchel van den Brink in second place.
Despite the setback, Loprais remained optimistic. “This rally is full of highs and lows. While it’s disappointing to lose ground, we’re not giving up. We’ll push forward and aim for the result we’ve worked so hard for,” he affirmed.
With the Rest Day on Friday, the team has a brief window to recuperate before the competition resumes on Saturday, January 11. The seventh stage will mark the beginning of another challenging week, with competitors set to tackle 2,240 kilometers of selective sections across seven stages. The climax promises dramatic finishes, as the closing stages unfold amidst the vast dunes of Rub al-Khali.
LOPRAIS TATRA TEAM & DAKAR CLASSIC
In parallel, the Loprais Tatra Team continued to impress in the Dakar Classic category. After an outstanding fourth stage, the team, led by Igor Pazdera, Olga Lounovova, and Milan Holan, climbed to third in the H2T truck group standings with their Tatra 815-2 "Puma." Meanwhile, Jiri Husek, Lubomir Dockal, and Dominik Holan held their ground in fifth place with their Tatra 815 4×4 HAS.
The fifth stage tested both navigation and regularity across four precision tests and one navigation challenge. Patera’s Puma excelled, securing two group victories and consistently finishing within the top three in all tests. Husek’s “firefighter truck” also performed admirably, winning one test and never placing lower than second.
As the Dakar Rally heads into its second week, competitors brace for escalating challenges. With no shortage of twists and triumphs, the legendary event continues to deliver the adrenaline and drama for which it is renowned.
