The competition has been hotting up in the 2025 Taklimakan Rally as competitors look to conquer the demanding desert terrain in this grueling test of man and machine across northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
The fifth special stage (SS5) of the rally roared through Xinjiang's Hotan on Monday, testing racers' skill and resilience with its demanding terrain and navigation challenges.
Spanning a distance of 287 kilometers from Lop County to Moyu County, the route -- dubbed the "Moyu Hongbai Mountain Stage" -- has returned to the rally after having to be canceled during last year's event due to a sandstorm.
Set against a dramatic backdrop of desert landscapes that featured undulating dunes and sudden drop-offs which pushed competitors' handling skills to the limit, the participants also had to contend with soaring temperatures and violent jolts on the uneven terrain.
Two foreign motorcycle riders from the Chongqing Hoto Factory Team delivered standout performances. Czech veteran Martin Michek, who had been hampered by injuries earlier in the rally, made an impressive comeback, finishing the stage with a commanding lead.
His Lithuanian teammate Arunas Gelazninkas opened the stage and took on the demanding role of pathfinder, maintaining a steady pace despite the intense navigational challenges.
In the car category, Liu Yangui of the Shaanxi Yunxiang Club, who led the overall standings after the first four stages, turned in another steady performance, and said he had completed the stage "without a single mistake".
The Taklimakan Rally, often dubbed "China's Dakar," is widely regarded as the country's most challenging cross-country rally. Since its inaugural event in 2005, the race has continued to evolve. This year, it introduced a new energy vehicle category for the first time, with ten vehicles competing in the debut class.
This year's event, which kicked off May 20 in Xinjiang's Aksu Prefecture, features 23 motorcycles and 105 vehicles, with racers tackling extreme heat and complex topography over approximately 5,200 kilometers, including more than 2,350 kilometers of timed special stages across the deserts and Gobi plains. The checkered flag is set to fall on the event in Makit County on Sunday.
Taklimakan Rally pushes racers to limit as demanding desert duel heats up
