International participants praise competition at Taklimakan Rally

The 2025 Taklimakan Rally wrapped up in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region over the weekend. Launched in 2005, the event has grown into Asia's longest, largest, and most competitive off-road race. That evolution has seen the venture emerge as a vivid symbol of a dynamic, modern Xinjiang, with international participants from around the world expressing their enthusiasm for both the competition and their experience in the region.

The Hoto Factory Racing Team's Czech rider Martin Michek, who clinched the title in the motorcycle category, was particularly impressed by the local hospitality.

"I think it's really nice, you know, it's really nice, you know, everybody are helpful," Michek told CGTN Sports Scene's Yuan Rui. "If you are away from the bivouac or the paddock, if you are away, just everybody is smiling. It's a little bit surprised because I think not many European guys coming to this area. So it's maybe something like exotic for the people. But everybody are so [helpful]. And I need to ask or I need to say, I'm really happy that I can stay here or, and also over the bivouac or next to the bivouac. I enjoy the time a lot because the people are helpful."

The Buggyra Racing Team's 20-year-old rising star Aliyyah Koloc, was especially amazed by the dramatic scenery along the route.

"For sure, the landscape we passed through, especially in ... I think it was Stage 3 ... was really beautiful through the rocks and through the rivers. So for sure it's something ... I've never seen any landscape like this before," Koloc said. "Since the second we came in, it was, everyone was really passionate about the Rally. And to see how big it is, it's, to be honest, like I expected, but it's far more than I was anticipating. The support here been really cool. And yeah, I just, I'm just happy to, even though I can't speak the language and it's been a little bit of a, you know, a language barrier, but it's been a great support, and I'm happy to be here in China and meet the locals."

British engineering director Ian Davies of the Wuhai Speedrush Club noted that his firsthand experiences have inspired friends to include China in their travel plans.

"I love China. I look forward to coming back here. The people are very friendly. I find it a fun place," Davies said. "And like everything, I think, you know, from outside of the country, people get impressions of what their news media outlet feeds them. I find China a very exciting and interesting place, and I go back and tell all my friends how good and exciting China is. And several of them have actually changed their travel plans and come through China to go to Australia or New Zealand, and had a couple of days in Beijing on their way. So I think it's really good that, you know, that we have quite a few, you know, foreign people come to the rally, foreign competitors come to the rally [because] I think it spreads the word of Chinese motor sport beyond just China."

As this year's Taklimakan Rally concluded, its legacy continued to extend far beyond the finish line, with the demanding routes and genuine cross-cultural encounters showcasing Xinjiang's spectacular nature and vibrant spirit to global participants.