Stage 9 shortened at Taklimakan Rally due to adverse weather

Although the ninth special stage at the Taklimakan Rally in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was shortened due to adverse weather, Saturday's trek still featured significant technical challenges, while serving as a crucial battle for the competitors ahead of the closing push to the finish line.

Strong winds, sandstorms, and other elemental difficulties forced the organizers to cut the originally-planned distance of 209.99 kilometers to just 81 kilometers. In the motorcycle category, the Hoto Factory Racing Team's Lithuanian rider Arunas Gelazninkas claimed the stage in 1:22:25 while his teammate, the Czech Republic's Martin Michek, maintained the overall lead.

Fan Gaoxiang and navigator Fu Liguo from the Hebei Qian'an Jiujiang Auto and Motorcycle Sports Club posted the fastest time of 1:15:55 in the car division. The rally is set to conclude with its final stage later on Sunday. And with only 52 kilometers remaining, every driver and rider started the day vowing to push themselves to their limits.