Saulius Klevinskas is set to take the biggest kick of his life when he makes his Dakar Rally debut in 2026.

Klevinskas was a soccer goalkeeper throughout the 2000s and 2010s. He started and spent much of his pro career in Lithuania’s top-flight A Lyga with FK Sūduva before going on to play for clubs like Mika Yerevan in Armenia, fellow A Lyga team Žalgiris, and Russia’s Torpedo Moscow. Klevinskas eventually returned to Žalgiris as the backup goalie, winning two A Lyga titles and the Lithuanian Super Cup twice.

The Marijampolė native has also played for Lithuania’s national team, once for the U21 roster and in four friendlies for the main squad. Including club and international play, he has 225 caps to his name with 218 goals surrendered total.

“When I was a child, I dreamed of one day challenging myself in this legendary rally,” Klevinskas told 15min. “However, life took a different turn. I chose football and fully immersed myself in the path of a professional athlete. While I was an active footballer, Dakar was only a dream.”

After hanging up his cleats in 2019, he decided to take up motorcycle riding on his wife’s encouragement. This led him to Dakar veteran Arūnas Gelažninkas and his AG Dakar School, which trains Lithuanian riders to compete in the event themselves.

Klevinskas mainly does amateur rallies like Rallye Breslau in Poland, finishing tenth in Enduro at the latest edition in June. In 2024, he made his World Rally-Raid Championship debut at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, where he placed 21st in Rally2. He also raced the Rallye du Maroc last October and finished 43rd in class.

Abu Dhabi and Morocco are desert rallies like Dakar, and being on the W2RC calendar means Klevinskas earned points to bolster his chances of being accepted by the ASO. Although Breslau is not held in the desert, its week-long format and challenging terrain still make it an ideal training ground for those going to Dakar.

As with all non-factory riders, the challenge now becomes being able to secure the budget in addition to preparing mentally and physically. Klevinskas explained at AG’s Dakar event on Wednesday that his main goal is to “reach the finish line and bring the Dakar medal back to my family. It would not only be a sporting achievement but a symbol of a year’s work, effort, and dedication.”

For the 2026 race, the school will be represented by Klevinskas, the returning Gediminas Šatkus, and a third rider to be announced.

“I’ve been in team sports my entire life,” he continued. “Football taught me that without a strong, united team, it’s very hard to reach the top. Although the Dakar may seem like an individual test from the outside, it’s absolutely a team sport. Every person—mechanic, manager, coach, or support crew—is a vital part of the chain.

“Our team is strong, solid, and special. We’re all different, even a bit weird, but that’s what brings us together. In a short time, we’ve become like a family that supports, inspires, and goes through every stage together. With them by my side, I feel safe and strong.”

Featured image credit: Aurimas Urbanas