The Taklimakan Rally’s third stage delivered high-octane drama on Friday as Lithuania’s Arunas Gelazninkas surged to victory in the motorcycle category, while China’s Su Haotian claimed the car division lead amid Xinjiang’s rugged desert terrain.
Gelazninkas, riding for the Hoto Factory Racing Team, mastered the 279.44-kilometer course in 3 hours, 32 minutes, and 52 seconds. His triumph came after teammate Martin Michek – an early favorite – lost momentum due to a mid-stage crash, intensifying internal team rivalry.
In the car category, Su Haotian and navigator Ma Wenke of the Gansu TV Chiyue Sports Racing Team blazed through 334.61 kilometers in 3:34:42, showcasing precision driving across shifting sands. The stage tested competitors’ endurance as temperatures fluctuated between 35°C and 42°C.
Organizers confirmed the rally will advance to Luopu County in Hotan Prefecture for Saturday’s 246-kilometer Stage 4, where navigation skills will prove critical in the Taklimakan Desert’s labyrinthine dunes.
