Absolute triumph: "KamAZ-master" for the fourth time took the entire podium in the standings of trucks at the "Dakar"

The Russian crew "KamAZ-Master" led by Dmitry Sotnikov won the truck classification at the Dakar rally-marathon.

Together with him, navigator Ruslan Akhmadeev and mechanic Ilgiz Akhmetzyanov became champions.

The second place in the two-week competition in Saudi Arabia was taken by Anton Shibalov, and the third was Ayrat Mardeev.

For the fourth time in its history and for the first time since 2015, the KamAZ-Master pilots took the entire podium.

Sotnikov took the lead at the end of the second stage and held it for 11 days in a row - no one has achieved such superiority since Vladimir Chagin in 2010, when he remained first after each of the 14 special stages.

And Sotnikov's closest pursuers were Shibalov and Mardeev even before the day of rest, dividing the Dakar into two halves, after which no one could move the team from Naberezhnye Chelny out of the top three.

However, at the end of the rally-raid Czech Martin Matsik from Big Shock Racing was desperately trying to do it.

He won the ninth stage and was 36 minutes behind Mardeev.

Although Ales Loprais from Praga was still located between them, it was Matsik who could be called the most dangerous competitor of KamAZ-Master, which he confirmed at the tenth special stage.

Part of the route from Neom to Al-Ula, which is 342 kilometers long, could be called extreme - it was full of stone obstacles that could be the last on the Dakar for any pilot.

Even simple wheel changes for Russian trucks could have allowed Matsik to climb into the top three overall.

Fortunately, Sotnikov, Shibalov and Mardeev did not have any problems, but they still lost to the Czech pilot, who just did not avoid excesses.

At the very beginning of the distance, a tree knocked out his windshield, and Matsik drove almost 300 kilometers without protection from dust.

This did not prevent him from becoming the best not only among trucks, but also overtaking most motorcycles and SUVs.

The 11th special stage was supposed to be the longest on the Dakar and provide a new opportunity to close the gap with the KamAZ-Master, but due to the weather the route had to be shortened.

This time Matsik had to focus on the rivalry with Loprais, and in the end he took the upper hand thanks to the technical malfunctions of his compatriot and climbed to fourth place in the overall standings.

The Russians could once again occupy the entire podium, but at the last moment Sotnikov caught a stone when leaving the dune and was forced to replace the wheel.

Alexei Vishnevsky from MAZ-SPORTavto knocked him out of the top three at the stage.

🚚 Shibalov took the win as Sotnikov faltered in the final section.

It is still most definitely Sotnikov's Dakar to lose however!

All the best from the Trucks on stage 11👇 # Dakar2021pic.twitter.com / TzEnzBp7MQ

- DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) January 14, 2021

Before the final stage with the finish in Jeddah on the Red Sea coast, KamAZ-Master won 35 minutes over Matsik.

Until the end of the rally-raid, unpleasant surprises should not have arisen.

Nevertheless, Shibalov almost got into a curious accident.

At one point, a television helicopter hovered directly over him.

He flew so low that when the Russian pilot ran into a bump, contact occurred between them.

The truck and the helicopter miraculously escaped serious breakdowns and were able to continue moving, and Shibalov eventually even showed the second time of the day.

Matsik became the best in a separate special stage for the third time, but he did not interfere with the victorious hat-trick of KamAZ-Master in the overall standings.

Russian trucks won the Dakar for the 18th time and repeated the record of the most titled KTM team, which has the same number of victories in the motorcycle classification.

The head of KamAZ-Master Vladimir Chagin noted that the key to this success was the well-coordinated teamwork of all crews, including Andrey Karginov, who finished seventh.

“I am glad that all four cars reached the finish line this year.

Yes, not everyone was lucky at the stages, there were technical difficulties, it was difficult to physically fight with difficult conditions, but this is Dakar.

And the victory is won by the one who could endure, overcome himself.

Congratulations to Dmitry Sotnikov's crew on their first career victory!

The guys are great, they showed themselves from the best side.

The crews of Anton Shibalov and Ayrat Mardeev also had a great race.

Andrey Karginov showed team work, clearly working for the overall result of the team.

But this victory would not have happened without the well-coordinated work of the entire KamAZ-Master team, - said the seven-time Dakar champion.

Sotnikov, who so far has only one title at the most prestigious rally-marathon, admitted that he was first of all happy with the purely Russian podium, which he took along with Shibalov and Mardeev.

“I just don't have words, only emotions.

I can't even believe that we have won.

For several years we have been moving towards this victory, gradually approaching it.

And now I am very happy, proud of all the guys.

This is something fantastic and incredible, our crew and the whole team have done a very hard job to be in the first place.

I am glad that KamAZ-Master took all three prizes at this Dakar.

A lot of work and sweat have been invested in this success.

This is not only a struggle on the track, but also the selfless work of the assistance team.

Each special stage was a real test, and it is great that our KamAZ never let us down.

Thanks to everyone who helped, believed in and supported our crew! "

- said Sotnikov.

🚚 Dakar Domination!

The @KAMAZmasterTEAM has offered up another winner in the Trucks category in 2021, hear the story behind their success 👇 # Dakar2021pic.twitter.com / ybUVny3I8H

- DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) January 15, 2021