Another improvement for Loprais, the fifth place serves as a reward for suffering

However, the new Praga V4S DKR has survived even these extreme conditions. Aleš Loprais together with his navigator Khalid Alkendi and mechanic Petr Pokora finished the stage in 4 hours and 34 minutes. That meant seventh place, just 15 minutes behind today’s winner Anton Shibalov.
Thanks to this result, they have moved ahead of Eduard Nikolaev, the last year’s winner, and Loprais’ crew now holds fifth position in the overall classification.
“I was suffering today. It was one of the most unpleasant stages ever. Those rocky parts were even more difficult than those in Morrocco. We’re beaten up, physically, it took really a lot,” said Aleš Loprais in the finish.
“The car was working well, but we don’t have the power, and we’re lacking especially tactically, to catch up with two factory teams ahead of us. They can risk more in the rocks, while we have to keep our nerves in check. It’s extremely exhausting, fast and difficult Dakar,” said the tired driver.
The rally continues tomorrow, with the fifth stage leading to Ha’il. Almost half of the 353 kilometres long stage will be in the sand. However, there won’t be typical dunes, but giant sandy hills and humongous rocks. And the organisers warn about careful navigation, once again.
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