2025 Taklimakan Rally Stage 5: Michek and Zhu-Chen defy desert odds

The 2025 Taklimakan Rally's fifth stage (SS5) delivered a masterclass in endurance and skill as competitors battled scorching heat, treacherous dunes, and sudden desert drop-offs across a grueling 287-kilometer course. Czech rider Martin Michek and Chinese car duo Zhu Guanghai-Chen Qingkai emerged as the day's standout performers, solidifying their positions as top contenders in their respective divisions.

The 287-kilometer stage, set against a dramatic backdrop of desert landscapes, featured undulating dunes and sudden drop-offs that pushed competitors' handling skills to the limit, while soaring temperatures and violent jolts on uneven terrain tested their endurance. In the motorcycle division, Chongqing Hoto Factory Team's Czech rider Martin Michek, hampered by injuries earlier in the rally, made an impressive comeback, finishing the stage with a commanding lead in 3 hours, 38 minutes, and 25 seconds. 

Duonai Shock Absorber Team's Zhu Guanghai and navigator Chen Qingkai top the car category with 3 hours, 22 minutes, and 40 seconds. The rally resumes Tuesday with SS6, a 288-kilometer route that spans wetlands, Gobi, and desert terrain, offering both a visual spectacle and a true test of vehicle setup and driver adaptability.