Hey thrill-seekers! The Taklimakan Rally kicked off on Wednesday in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, blasting through the stunning Wensu Grand Canyon in Aksu Prefecture. Racers tackled nearly 160 kilometers of washed-out paths, tricky river crossings, and a high-speed canyon dash that had everyone on the edge of their seats 🚗💨.
In the motorcycle division, Czech rider Martin Michek from the Hoto Factory Racing Team set the pace by finishing in 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 36 seconds. Meanwhile, in the car category, Fan Gaoxiang and his navigator Fu Liguo from the Hebei Qian'an Jiujiang Auto and Motorcycle Sports Club claimed victory in qualifying and then surged ahead to finish the stage in 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 11 seconds.
Fan, who is feeling the adrenaline, remarked, "Everything went smoothly, as this was the first long stage, but it still felt more like a warm-up. For the next stage, we know there will be more desert terrain, so we will ease up the pace a bit. This was a high-speed stage, and once we hit the desert, that's when the real challenges of the Taklimakan Rally begin." With the upcoming 115-kilometer second stage set to take racers to Alar, the excitement only continues to build.
This opening stage showcased a perfect blend of breathtaking scenery and high-octane racing, promising even more daring desert challenges ahead. Stay tuned for more action as competitors push their limits on this epic adventure!
Reference(s):
Taklimakan Rally: Stage 1 sends racers through Wensu Grand Canyon
cgtn.com
