Dakar Rider Gets Struck By Lightning But Still Manages To Finish Stage

We don’t really hear many stories about people getting struck by lightning, particularly motorsport related ones. But that’s exactly what happened to a motorbike rider during the Dakar Rally.

Infamous for being one of the most dangerous and demanding motorsport events of the year, you have to be properly brave and hardcore to take part. Especially if you’re going to do it on a motorbike.

Slovakian rider Ivan Jakes was 300km away from the end of stage three when he encountered a storm. As he passed through, he was struck by lightning. Yeah, very unexpected! He was apparently aware that he’d been hit but decided to carry on anyway.

Jakes had some pain in his left arm but he soldiered on to finish 15th in the stage, a massive and hugely impressive effort considering what happened.

Completing a stage of the Dakar Rally is already impressive enough for those of us who don’t take part, let alone what Jakes went through.

The KTM he was riding actually saved his life, because it safely conducted the electricity through to the ground.

Jakes was sent to a local hospital (as you’d expect) for checks but was amazingly deemed to be OK and has been cleared to keep going with the Dakar Rally. In fact, he’s in 19th place at the moment (the last time we checked).

That’s a pretty amazing story and one that, fortunately, has a happy ending. He’s continued on with the Dakar Rally despite literally being hit by lightning. Amazing.

Obviously all forms of motorsport are dangerous, some more than others, but it really puts into perspective just how bonkers Dakar is.