The grit and roar of engines echoed across the dunes of Alar on Thursday, as stage two of the Taklimakan Rally unfolded in Aksu Prefecture in the northwestern Chinese mainland’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. For many riders and drivers, the 115-kilometer desert course was their first taste of soft dunes, unpredictable terrain, and razor-sharp topography designed to test endurance and precision navigation.
Despite battling a fever and headache, Czech rider Martin Michek of the Hoto Factory Racing Team smashed through the desert sands to clinch his second consecutive motorcycle stage win, clocking 2:39:51. His win streak underscores a mix of fearless skill and strategic pace-setting in extreme conditions.
In the car category, the Gansu TV Chiyue Sports Racing Team’s partnership of driver Zhang Biaobiao and navigator Wang Xiaofeng held steady to cross the finish line first in 2:31:07. Their performance highlights seamless teamwork and the importance of route-finding accuracy in the shifting dunes.
Four-time champion Han Wei and co-driver Ma Li took a measured approach, navigating the challenging course in 2:36:22, proving that consistency can pay off when the desert unveils its toughest surprises.
Looking ahead, Friday’s stage three in Keping will stretch competitors across a punishing 335-kilometer route. As the rally pushes deeper into the desert, the battle for overall victory is heating up—each kilometer promising new obstacles and the chance for racers to etch their names into rallying history.
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Racers push limits in second special stage at Taklimakan Rally
cgtn.com
