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

Getting struck by lightning is a pretty rare occurrence but getting hit during a Dakar Rally stage and then continuing on to the end of it is something else. That’s exactly what happened on stage three!
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.

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

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.

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Comments

TheStigsAmericanCousin

thats pimpin pimpin

01/06/2017 - 22:35 |
2 | 0
Bring a Caterham To MARS

Death called his name.
He replied “new phone who dis”

01/07/2017 - 01:06 |
7 | 0
Anonymous

Guess who hit him? Lightning Farron

01/07/2017 - 01:15 |
1 | 0
Max Caplan

Must have given him the energy to finish.

01/07/2017 - 04:44 |
2 | 0
Natrix

His life must have flashed before his eyes.

01/07/2017 - 08:34 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Sadly, he doesn’t continue more. Yesterday, at the stage 5 he has falled from his bike and broke his arm. For me, very sad, because of I know, for some time he was yet in top 10 of drivers, and he hadn’t much luck last year. However, this change nothing at the fact, that his performance is outstanding. For me he is one of this year’s Dakar heroes!

01/07/2017 - 08:59 |
3 | 0
Turbo Koala

my name is ivan jakes and im the fastest man alive

01/08/2017 - 13:18 |
0 | 0