The second stage of the Silk Way Rally provided a mixture of terrain with hardpack desert tracks, sand, mud, and gravel. Riders needed to apply a particularly cautious approach through the middle part of the special, which saw riders navigate their way through a dense forest where time could easily be won or lost.
Thoroughly enjoying stage two, Ross Branch was on the pace from the very beginning. With experience in world championship motocross, the 35-year-old enjoyed the fast, rough terrain and led the stage through the first two waypoints. Going on to complete the special just six seconds shy of the win, Ross now takes over the provisional lead of the Silk Way Rally.
Andrew Short delivered another consistent stage result on day two of the rally to end the special as the ninth fastest rider. Maintaining a strong pace throughout the 132.74-kilometre stage, the American enjoyed the forest section of the special to remain on pace with the leading riders. After two days of racing, Andrew now sits in eighth overall in the provisional classification with less than two minutes separating him from the top five.
Applying a cautious approach to stage two knowing how technical and potentially treacherous the conditions can be at the Silk Way Rally, Adrien Van Beveren came home in 10th place aboard his Yamaha WR450F Rally machine. Much like his teammates, Adrien enjoyed the special’s varied terrain and despite being a little off the pace of the leading riders today, he now looks forward to the remaining eight days of racing.
Stage three of the Silk Way Rally takes place tomorrow with a 133.22-kilometre special. Beginning with technical, rocky terrain before opening out onto fast stretches of gravel roads, multiple river crossings will then provide a unique hazard. Upon completing the stage, riders will have crossed the border into Mongolia where they’ll arrive at the temporary bivouac in the town of Ulgiy.
