Thick dust clouds and challenging terrain tested competitors during Stage 7 of the Taklimakan Rally in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Wednesday. The 82-kilometer route saw reduced speeds as visibility dropped, creating dramatic shifts in the competition landscape.
Lithuanian veteran Arunas Gelazninkas of the Hoto Factory Racing Team mastered the sandy chaos, clinching the motorcycle category victory in 1:10:9. Despite his stage win, teammate Martin Michek from the Czech Republic maintained his overall lead through consistent performance.
The car division delivered nail-biting action, with Zhu Guanghai and navigator Chen Qingkai of the Duonai Shock Absorber Team securing their first stage win (1:03:29). Top contenders Liu Yangui, Fan Gaoxiang, and Tao Yongming remain locked in a tight battle for supremacy as the rally enters its final phase.
Organizers have scheduled a rest day Thursday before competitors face decisive stages in Makit County, Kashgar Prefecture. Meteorologists predict clearer skies ahead, setting the stage for high-speed showdowns across Xinjiang's iconic desert landscapes.
