Arūnas Gelažninkas (born 12 October 1985) is a

Lithuanian Lithuanian may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Lithuania, a country in the Baltic region in northern Europe ** Lithuanian language ** Lithuanians, a Baltic ethnic group, native to Lithuania and the immediate geographical region ** L ...

motocross Motocross is a form of off-road motorcycle racing held on enclosed off-road circuits. The sport evolved from motorcycle trials competitions held in the United Kingdom. History Motocross first evolved in Britain from motorcycle trials competi ...

enduro Enduro is a form of motorcycle sport run on extended cross-country, off-road courses. Enduro consists of many different obstacles and challenges. The main type of enduro event, and the format to which the World Enduro Championship is run, is ...

and

rally raid Rally raid is a type of off-road motorsport event competed with different types of vehicles. Along with shorter Baja (cross-country rally), baja rallies, rally raid constitutes cross-country rallying. Both the Fédération Internationale de l'Aut ...

rider. Gelažninkas is best known for being a multiple Lithuanian enduro and cross-country champion, 2019 Tuareg Rally champion as well winning

2021 Dakar Rally The 2021 Dakar Rally was a rally raid event held in Saudi Arabia and the 43rd edition of the Dakar Rally. The event was held for 14 days, starting from 3 January and ended 15 January 2021. It was the second time Saudi Arabia had hosted the event, ...

in Original by Motul category (formerly known as Malle Moto), making him the first and only Lithuanian to do so.

Biography

A. Gelažninkas started his career in motocross when he was eight and was competing domestically initially. In 2005 Gelažninkas started training in

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

and competing in

British Motocross Championship The ACU British Motocross Championship (abbreviated to MXGB and currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Motul ACU British Motocross Championship) is the premier motocross series in the United Kingdom. The championship is recognised as b ...

. In addition to competing locally Gelažninkas has also participated in various events internationally, including representing

Lithuania Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania, is a country in the Baltic region of Europe. It is one of three Baltic states and lies on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, bordered by Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, P ...

in Motocross of Nations, also competing in MX1, MX3

FIM Motocross World Championship The FIM Motocross World Championship is the premier championship of motocross racing, organized by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), divided into two distinct classes: MXGP and MX2. Race duration is 30 minutes plus two laps ...

as well as participating in

Dakar Rally The Dakar Rally () or simply "The Dakar" (), formerly known as the Paris–Dakar Rally (), is an annual rally raid organised by the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO). It is an off-road endurance event traversing terrain much tougher than convent ...

annually since 2019. Over the years Gelažninkas achieved multiple victories and podium finishes competing in various disciplines in various competitions across the

Baltic Baltic may refer to: Peoples and languages *Baltic languages, a subfamily of Indo-European languages, including Lithuanian, Latvian and extinct Old Prussian *Balts (or Baltic peoples), ethnic groups speaking the Baltic languages and/or originatin ...

states, European and World Motocross Championships.

Career highlights

* 1995 - Lithuanian champion 65cc class * 1996 - Lithuanian champion 80cc class, 2nd place 65cc class * 1997 - 2nd place in Lithuania 80cc class * 1998 - Lithuanian champion 80cc class * 1999 - 2nd in Lithuanian championship 80cc class and 2nd in the Baltic championship. * 2000 - Team Lithuania member in Motocross of Nations * 2001 - Lithuanian champion 125cc class * 2002 - 5th in European youth championship 125cc class, Lithuanian champion 125cc class * 2003 - 3rd in European youth championship 125cc class * 2004 - Lithuanian champion 125cc class, 2nd in Open class, European cup 125cc class stage victory, 3rd in Baltics in Open class * 2005 - 5th in British Masters championship. * 2011 - Team Lithuania member in Motocross of Nations * 2013 - Lithuanian champion Cross Country E2 class, 2nd in Enduro E2 class * 2014 - Lithuanian champion Cross Country E2 class, Lithuanian champion Enduro E2 class, Latvian champion Enduro E2 class, 2nd in Baltic Enduro E2 class * 2015 - Lithuanian champion Cross Country E2 class, Lithuanian champion Enduro E2 class, 2nd in Baltic Enduro E2 class * 2016 - Lithuanian champion Enduro E2 class. * 2017 - Lithuanian champion Enduro E1 class, 3rd in Cross Country E1 class. * 2018 - Baltic champion in Cross Country Enduro class, Lithuanian champion in Cross Country Enduro class and Enduro E2 class, Baltic Enduro Rally champion, Balkan Off-road Rally champion, 3rd-place finish in Baja Poland rally. * 2019 - Tuareg Rally champion * 2021 - Winner of

in Original by Motul category * 2022 - Winner of

in Original by Motul category

Dakar Rally results

References

External links

Official website
Lithuanian racing drivers 1985 births Living people Enduro riders Off-road motorcycle racers Dakar Rally motorcyclists People from Kaunas District Municipality Sportspeople from Kaunas County {{Lithuania-sport-bio-stub