Racers faced a gritty showdown at Stage 7 of the Taklimakan Rally in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region as a fierce dust storm turned the 82-kilometer route into a high-stakes obstacle course. 🌪️ Drivers and riders alike had to throttle back, battling reduced visibility and treacherous dunes in one of the rally's most dramatic chapters yet.
Lithuanian veteran Arunas Gelazninkas of the Hoto Factory Racing Team proved why experience matters, clinching the motorcycle category win in 1:10:9 with a steady, sand-slicing strategy. But it's his Czech teammate Martin Michek who’s still holding the overall lead—proving teamwork (and a little chaos) makes the dream work. 🤝
Meanwhile, the car category is serving *serious* drama! Top contenders Liu Yangui, Fan Gaoxiang, and Tao Yongming are locked in a nail-biting battle for the crown. The stage win went to Zhu Guanghai and navigator Chen Qingkai of the Duonai Shock Absorber Team, who blazed through in 1:03:29. 🚗💨
After a rest day Thursday, the rally heads to Makit County in Kashgar Prefecture for the final showdowns. Will the leaders keep their cool, or will the desert have the last laugh? Stay tuned! 🏁
