In the second stage of the Defender Rally, Lithuanian driver R. Baciuška found himself in a tough competition against fellow drivers Stephane Peterhansel and Sara Price. Lusuta's initial lead was impressive, as he surged ahead between kilometers 78 and 168, holding a slender advantage of just seconds over his teammate. However, the challenging track conditions soon took a toll, affecting the race dynamics significantly.

During one of the more difficult segments characterized by wet and muddy conditions, Baciuška experienced a setback when he miscalculated a turn. After executing a lengthy braking maneuver, he slipped off the track and gently collided with a ditch. Although his team continued the race initially, they quickly realized that the car was handling poorly due to a dislodged tire, necessitating a stop for a tire change. This detour cost the team more than three minutes, impacting his overall standing.

Despite this setback, Baciuška worked tirelessly to regain lost time in the latter part of the stage. However, he was unable to maintain his earlier position and was ultimately surpassed not only by Sara Price, who had been in third place, but also by Stephan Peterhansel, marking the day as a mixed experience filled with adventures and lessons from the track. Baciuška reflected on the day's challenges, emphasizing the demanding nature of the rally, which was compounded by adverse weather conditions that significantly complicated the race.