🔥 The 2025 Taklimakan Rally’s fifth stage (SS5) turned the desert into a battleground, with Czech rider Martin Michek and Chinese car duo Zhu Guanghai-Chen Qingkai proving they’re built different. Temperatures soared, dunes shifted like TikTok trends, and sudden drop-offs kept drivers on edge—but these champs thrived under pressure.
Motorcycle Mayhem: Michek’s Comeback Saga
🏍️ Martin Michek (Chongqing Hoto Factory Team), battling injuries from earlier stages, channeled his inner action hero to clock 3h38m25s. His secret? Pure grit and a bike that handled the desert’s mood swings better than a K-pop fandom.
Car Category Kings: Zhu-Chen’s Desert Domination
🚗 Duonai Shock Absorber Team’s Zhu Guanghai and Chen Qingkai crushed SS5 in 3h22m40s, their vehicle eating up dunes like a hungry baozi. Pro tip: Their suspension setup? Chef’s kiss 💯.
Next Up: SS6’s Terrain Roulette
🌊➡️🏜️ Tuesday’s 288km SS6 promises whiplash-inducing transitions—wetlands, Gobi plains, and more desert. Drivers, start your engines (and maybe pack a survival kit).
