From July 18 to 20, the stages of the international Silk Way Rally proved to be a true test of endurance, especially in the T2 category. The Turkmen crew of Maksatmyrat Danatarov and Didar Orazmedov delivered an outstanding performance on Stage 7, conquering a 300 km marathon section from Bayankhongor to Altai without mechanical support and strengthening their lead.

Stage 8, a loop around Altai featuring the massive dunes of Mongol-Els, saw strategic decisions from T2 crews to bypass the most difficult terrain, accepting a standard 29-hour penalty to preserve their vehicles. Danatarov maintained his lead despite the setback.

However, Stage 9 on July 20 — stretching from Altai to Khovd — became a turning point. Faced with a challenging route, Danatarov encountered technical issues and received a 21-hour penalty, surrendering the lead to seasoned racer Merdan Toyliyev, winner of the 2022 Silk Way Rally. Meilis Abdullaev climbed to second place, while Danatarov dropped to third, trailing by 14 hours.

With just two stages remaining before the finish in Gorno-Altaysk, Turkmen teams continue to showcase resilience, skill, and competitive spirit in one of the world’s toughest rally raids.