BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE DAKAR RALLY 2025

My stories / 22. January 2025

Also at this year’s Dakar, photographers managed to capture unique moments that remain hidden from the eyes of the audience. Thanks to them, you can go behind the scenes and experience the Dakar atmosphere from a perspective that offers a unique experience. See a selection of the best behind-the-scenes shots from this year’s rally.

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my track stories

THE MOST ATTRACTIVE IMAGES FROM DAKAR 2025

THE MOST ATTRACTIVE IMAGES FROM DAKAR 2025

The Dakar Rally once again presented not only extreme challenges for the riders, but also breathtaking scenery that added to…

22. January 2025
Dakar 2022: news and challenges

Dakar 2022: news and challenges

This year there are several stages at remote deserts testing the riders’ navigation skills. Dunes, tracks and sand Beginning on…

10. December 2021
The bike is on the way

The bike is on the way

The secret is revealed: Štefan Svitko will ride a KTM 450 Rally Replica on his 13th Dakar. The bike is…

7. December 2021
To do list of a team manager

To do list of a team manager

Daniela Ozanová For Dada, the first lady of the Slovnaft Rally Dakar team, in order to handle all that was…

28. January 2021
Our daily oil

Our daily oil

Zlatko Novosad: Every day after the race, the motorcycle goes into care of Zlatoš: he changes the tires, oil, filters,…

26. January 2021
Tuned team

Tuned team

When asked what he would do differently in Dakar, he answers briefly “Probably nothing.” He is satisfied with his team,…

24. January 2021
America or Arabia?

America or Arabia?

Števo Svitko has already ridden 10 Dakars, thanks to which he has earned the status of “Dakar Legend” from the…

23. January 2021
Alchemy before Dakar

Alchemy before Dakar

Getting ready for the Dakar bares signs of alchemy as the motorbike must be set up according to the type…

21. January 2021
Everyone has their own limit of fear

Everyone has their own limit of fear

A native of Žaškov admits that the first stages are usually worse – he has to get used to the…

19. January 2021
Sand tracks vs. intuition

Sand tracks vs. intuition

At the race, the riders navigate with the help of a roadbook – instructions, which are given to them shortly…

17. January 2021
Satisfied with the results, but...

Satisfied with the results, but...

He won a great 8th place in the Dakar, but like any other racer, he admits that he always hopes…

15. January 2021
The last training before Dakar

The last training before Dakar

Training in High Tatras is already a tradition for Števo before leaving to Dakar. This year guys from Slovnaft rally…

27. December 2019
Jubilee and exceptional Portugal

Jubilee and exceptional Portugal

The tenth participation in the Portuguese motorcycle competition in Portimau was exceptional for Števo for two reasons. In…

18. November 2019
Back in the game - Serres rally

Back in the game - Serres rally

The first load test after wrist injury awaited for Števo in August – the Greek Serres Rally.

5. September 2019
Morocco without happy ending

Morocco without happy ending

A favourite race, which, in the end, cost him weeks of rehab. Moroccan´ Merzouga rally ended for Števo…

10. May 2019
Dakar 2018 | It would not work without fans

Dakar 2018 | It would not work without fans

Fans eagerly await every piece of new information, picture or video on social media because those present them with the…

16. April 2018
Dakar 2018 | Dominik & Dominik

Dakar 2018 | Dominik & Dominik

This year, the Slovnaft Rally Team has been expanded by two new members with no first-hand experience of the Dakar…

9. March 2018
Dakar 2018 | A day off

Dakar 2018 | A day off

During the Dakar, there can be two kinds of situations when the riders get a day off. The first kind…

26. February 2018
Dakar 2018 | Small mistake, big fall

Dakar 2018 | Small mistake, big fall

This year’s Dakar saw no shortage of falls, even from bikes of the best riders. These rally races are, of…

5. February 2018
Dakar 2018 | No time for friendships

Dakar 2018 | No time for friendships

They may be rivals on the track but off the track they are friends. The best riders from all over…

29. January 2018
The last preparations before Dakar 2018

The last preparations before Dakar 2018

Each year Števo has to undergo fitness training for the Dakar in the High Tatras. This year he decided that…

27. December 2017
Dakar 2018 | What to pack for The Dakar

Dakar 2018 | What to pack for The Dakar

Dakar 2018 will last for two weeks during which everything needs to be ready for Števo, and he mustn’t forget…

27. December 2017
Dakar 2018 | Sailing to America

Dakar 2018 | Sailing to America

Even though The Dakar 2018 does not begin until January 6, the motorcycle along with the assistance car and the…

22. December 2017
The Great Training for Dakar 2018

The Great Training for Dakar 2018

The town of Serres has been a venue of the biggest Greek rally – Serres Rally Raid – already for…

3. September 2017
Hungarian Baja 2017

Hungarian Baja 2017

Števo showed fierce determination on the challenging track in the proximity of the Hungarian town of Veszprém. Despite falling down…

15. August 2017
With Petra Vlhová on one track

With Petra Vlhová on one track

Števo met our excellent skier Petra Vlhová at the sixth event of 9-episode series of International Championship of Slovakia in…

17. July 2017
Help from Farrés came at the best moment

Help from Farrés came at the best moment

He is already preparing for next year’s Dakar and so far, showing that he’s in a great shape. At the…

16. June 2017
Rally Dakar 2017 | The Dakar Bonus

Rally Dakar 2017 | The Dakar Bonus

Hard work, self-discipline and determination. That is the life of an athlete who deserves a small reward for each trip…

19. April 2017
Rally Dakar 2017 | Surprise in Bolivia

Rally Dakar 2017 | Surprise in Bolivia

During the race, each rider has his supporters, but there are even more spectators being attracted by fast motorbikes and…

19. April 2017
Rally Dakar 2017 | Get Over the Feeling of Hunger

Rally Dakar 2017 | Get Over the Feeling of Hunger

Like any other sportsman, even Števo has to devote maximum time to the preparation for races. Besides hard training, he…

13. March 2017
Rally Dakar 2017 | At high altitude

Rally Dakar 2017 | At high altitude

Despite several health problems, Števo did not give up and drove all stages to the finish. He got over storms,…

24. February 2017
Rally Dakar 2017 | Storm Will Test Each Racer

Rally Dakar 2017 | Storm Will Test Each Racer

“At the airport on the way to Dakar I was holding an umbrella and thinking – why would I need…

21. February 2017
Rally Dakar 2017 | Beware of the Three Exclamation Marks!

Rally Dakar 2017 | Beware of the Three Exclamation Marks!

Racers have to thoroughly prepare and learn a route that awaits them before each stage of the Dakar Raid. These…

14. February 2017
RALLY DAKAR 2017 | The Cursed Caravan

RALLY DAKAR 2017 | The Cursed Caravan

Štefan had great support from his team, which this year also took care of all organizational and technical issues and…

2. February 2017
Rally Dakar 2017 | The best stage ranking took its toll

Rally Dakar 2017 | The best stage ranking took its toll

The tenth stage of Dakar 2017 was the hardest and tested Števo’s quality. With a loss of only 24 seconds…

27. January 2017
Rally Dakar 2017 | “The Final Hell”

Rally Dakar 2017 | “The Final Hell”

RALLY DAKAR 2017 – STAGE 10 | CHILECITO – SAN JUAN It was the most difficult stage of the Dakar…

18. January 2017
Rally Dakar 2017 | From One Extreme to Another

Rally Dakar 2017 | From One Extreme to Another

RALLY DAKAR 2017 – STAGE 4 | SAN SALVADOR DE JUJUY – TUPIZA Regarding navigation, this stage meant very tough…

17. January 2017
Rally Dakar 2017 | The Three

Rally Dakar 2017 | The Three "Warm-Up" Stages

STAGE 1 | ASUNCIÓN – RESISTENCIA There is not much to get from, but to lose a lot during a…

5. January 2017
Pitfalls of the Serres Rally

Pitfalls of the Serres Rally

The difficult terrain of the Greek Serres Rally was challenging for Štefan. He had to be extremely alert, especially when handling difficult foreseeable mountain trails.

25. September 2016
Competing with Botturi

Competing with Botturi

During the Serres Rally, Štefan Svitko started and rode mostly in leading positions. Not only were his performances thrilling, but also the overtaking and racing with other riders, especially Alessandro Botturi from Italy.

23. September 2016
Svitko, winner of the Serres Rally with a near-hour lead

Svitko, winner of the Serres Rally with a near-hour lead

The international Serres Rally cross country competition thoroughly tested the riding, and above all the navigating abilities, of all competitors. The challenging trails were best handled by the rider in the Slovnaft colors, Štefan Svitko.

23. September 2016
Will he repeat Dakar next year?

Will he repeat Dakar next year?

A complex question everyone asked upon his arrival. After intensive days spent a considerable distance from the family, he doesn't know how to answer such a question. Everyone now has some expectations but Števo's desire is to participate in Dakar without surrounding pressure.

11. March 2016
Enjoying the Dakar Race Is Hard

Enjoying the Dakar Race Is Hard

Dakar racing has its charm. But can the racers ever enjoy it? Števo says that competing is more important rather than savoring the race itself.

9. March 2016
Reaching the finish with a broken brake is an art

Reaching the finish with a broken brake is an art

Števo was at the Dakar rally for the first time in 2013. Already as a rookie Števo ended up at 13th place and since then has maintained himself in the top ten best riders. Racing, where there is already success in reaching the finish, this year ended with historic triumph. However it wasn´t without complications.

4. March 2016
Not even one kilometer more per hour is forgiven at Dakar

Not even one kilometer more per hour is forgiven at Dakar

If during normal driving the speed limit is exceeded by one kilometer, it's about as noticeable as a few extra grams on one’s own weight. But if you do this at a Dakar rally, a stiff fine will hit you.

3. March 2016
Family is a source of happiness

Family is a source of happiness

The happiness that accompanied Števo this year certainly provided him with the small talismans he takes with him every year to Dakar.

24. February 2016
The stories of motorbike

The stories of motorbike

The SLOVNAFT Team did a really great job. Števo’s motorbikes are new, not living but important members of the team every year. They experience a lot during the Dakar Rally. What awaits them at Dakar’s end?

24. February 2016
Unexpected changes

Unexpected changes

Fans watching the Dakar Rally certainly were certainly concerned more than once and were waiting for Števo to pass through different parts of the lap not only to watch his time but also the times of his rivals. Števo himself, however, had a slightly worse overview about the other riders and some of the information he learned as last.

24. February 2016
Accommodation, food and clothing – common concerns also at Dakar

Accommodation, food and clothing – common concerns also at Dakar

The Dakar diet was supposedly the same as every year. Good. However, the change was the “accommodation”. This year, Števo exchanged a mattress in a tent for a bed in a caravan.

24. February 2016
Returning home full of emotion

Returning home full of emotion

Dozens of fans were already waiting at Schwechat airport for the Dakar heroes. The first greetings for Štefan and the rest of the SLOVNAFT Team didn’t come along without emotions and sincere joy from success.

24. February 2016
Even as a small team we can be strong competition

Even as a small team we can be strong competition

First of all the Dakar Rally is a competition and the racers are competitors. Some count on achieving the best possible result, others prefer to enjoy more the terrain and atmosphere. Success has its own form for each of them, which is a priority when handling the challenging laps.

24. February 2016
It started as fun with my friends

It started as fun with my friends

The current Dakar 2016 vice-champion had no idea what fate awaited him during his first personal meeting with a motorcycle.

10. February 2016
Stress is like a drug

Stress is like a drug

Many of us are trying to imagine what Števo and his family may experience during Dakar. However, there are still only our ideas of fear and stressful emotions that are even stronger in reality.

5. February 2016
A Danger called Dakar

A Danger called Dakar

"It is said that the road to success is thorny. Probably the largest “thorns” on the Dakar road to success are injuries."

3. February 2016
I would change nothing about my team

I would change nothing about my team

To a large extent the way we feel depends on the people we surround ourselves with. Števo says a better team this year could not have been gathered this year. Two newcomers, Viliam Tóth and Marián Jacina, joined the famous trinity of Svitko, Novosád and Kubačka. In addition to overseeing the smooth operation of the caravan, they also contributed with their humor.

2. February 2016
A bit of luck is behind success in addition to toil

A bit of luck is behind success in addition to toil

We all know that. We are strongly longing for something, and once we already have a dream target within reach, an obstacle occurs. Then an important decision comes at that moment. We can give up, or even in spite of all circumstances, keep on fighting.

2. February 2016
Lucky thirteen, but with a bitter end

Lucky thirteen, but with a bitter end

“After crossing the finish line of the final leg of the Dakar in Rosario I felt like crying. I felt immensely happy. However, I could not wait for the rest of the team, so that we would be able to enjoy the success altogether.”

2. February 2016

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