Aksu - Aksu : 339km
Liaison : 52km
SS : 207km
Liaison : 80k
The first special stage (SS1) passes through the Wensu-Grand Canyon of Aksu. The 207 km special stages covers the gravel track in the canyon and the high speed Gobi road section. Since this stage is located at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains, its landscape varies with stunning scenery. In addition to the gravel track and the Gobi, the pilots will also have the chance to experience the vast alpine meadow track.
In the auto category, Han Wei in his SMG takes the first stage victory. Zhang Huijun in the CR6 win the 2nd place with only short time ifference. Zhang Guoyu, who started the first in the morning finished the 3rd place because his car hit a hidden rock in the stage and the team spend around 20 minutes to change the axle. According to Han Wei, “The stage is not long, but not that easy in navigation. The mud caused by the rain makes the track slippery, and we need to keep certain rhythm in order not to stuck in it. I am quite happy to experience several stages like today before entering the real desert stages.”
As to the moto category, French pilot Neels Theric is in good form today, he started the 4th place this morning and is the first to arrive the finish line. Local pilot Yakepu finish the 2nd and the 4-time Taklimakan winner Fang Mingji is listed the 3rd . During the interview they are all impressed by the beautiful scenery in the stage, Neels Theric says: “I am quite satisfied today, the rain in the tracks caused some problems but I finished this stage well. My motorcycle is in very good form with good engine and suspension system.”
Tomorrow, Stage 2 will witness the first bivouac transfer in the 2023 Taklimakan Rally. The rally will travel from Aksu to Kashgar with the first bivouac in Kashgar settled in Makit. The special stage has separate starting points for the Auto and the moto category, which is the first time in the history of this rally.
Classification Auto SS1 (to be confirmed)
1.Han Wei (CHN) / Ma Li (CHN), SMG
2.Zhang Huijun (CHN) / Peng Yibo (CHN), CR6
3.Zhang Guoyu (CHN) / Oriol Mena Valdearcos (ESP), BAIC
4.Wei Hongjie (CHN) / Guo Jun (CHN), EV03
5.Zhang Botong (CHN) / Miao Zhijun (CHN), JJ MS2
Classification Moto SS1 (to be confirmed)
1.NEELS Theric (FRA), KOVE
2.Yakepu (CHN), KTM
3.Fang Mingji (CHN), KOVE
4.Samuel Jackson Charles Brown (NZL)
Source Taklimakan Rally
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