Michek on Loprais: Ales was absolutely not responsible for the collision with the spectator! I don’t think it’s a good idea to lie down with the camera right behind the dune

The Dakar Rally 2023 has been over for a few days now, and one of the Czech Republic’s best hopes, Ales Loprais, did not finish this year’s race. He withdrew from the Dakar after an incident with an Italian fan. Another Czech rider, motorcyclist Martin Michek, commented on the situation and added his opinion in an interview with Ruik.

Aleš Loprais was leading the truck category at this year’s Dakar and was in a form that could have objectively guaranteed him victory. But then, on the tenth stage, there was a moment that changed everything. Specifically, a collision with an Italian fan, who died a few hours later.

Although the Czech driver was in no way to blame, he subsequently withdrew from the Dakar Rally and the trucks were eventually dominated by Janus van Kasteren.

In an interview with Ruik, we then asked another Czech racer, motorcyclist Martin Michek, who finished eleventh overall in the Dakar, about his perspective on the incident. From the rider’s point of view.

Should the organisers devise and then apply some measures, or stricter restrictions for fans, to prevent similar incidents. Is that even possible?

Mick’s statement

“For me it was an unfortunate accident at most, that’s what it is… It’s not possible for the organiser to control it, it’s up to everyone. The stage is 430 kilometres long and I don’t think it’s a good idea to lie down behind a dune with a camera when we don’t know what the dune looks like behind the ridge,” Michek said in an interview with Ruik.

The 34-year-old racer further explained that every spectator who lies down there should realise this.

“Being this close to the rutted tracks, with the cars driving this close, Ales couldn’t even react to it because he’s driving, he goes up on the crest of the dune and you look up into the sky and only when the truck falls down do you realise what’s behind the dune.”

“If I say it really badly now, he doesn’t even have a chance to smell the man. It’s eight or nine tons rolling at you and you lie down where it’s going. It‘s obviously psychological damage, but I don’t think Ales should be blamed for this because this was absolutely not his fault,” he added.

Michek concluded by saying that Ales Loprais is simply a racer with a big “Z” and should not be missing at the start of the Dakar 2024 because he is the man to win.

Ruik Talk, Dakar Rally