Mother Nature cranked up the drama at the Taklimakan Rally this weekend! 🌍 Stage 9 of the grueling race in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region got a major trim—slashed from 209.99 km to just 81 km—after sandstorms and gale-force winds turned the desert into a real-life Mad Max scene. But competitors still faced white-knuckle challenges ahead of Sunday's final showdown.
🏍️ Lithuanian rider Arunas Gelazninkas (Hoto Factory Racing Team) smoked the motorcycle category with a 1:22:25 finish, while teammate Martin Michek of the Czech Republic kept his overall lead. Over in the car division, China's Fan Gaoxiang and navigator Fu Liguo blazed through the stage in 1:15:55—proving local heroes can dominate their home turf.
With only 52 km left in Sunday's final stage, racers are pushing harder than a TikTok trend. Who'll conquer the 'Desert of Death'? Stay tuned! 🔥
