Silk Way Rally commences in Siberia

The renowned off-road race requires competitors to traverse over 3,000 miles of some of the toughest terrains.

On Friday, the international Silk Way Rally commenced in Russia. This thrilling and intense racing event, drawing contestants from 13 nations, is considered one of the globe's most phenomenal and demanding.

Tomsk, a city in Siberia, hosted the grand opening ceremony of this iconic off-road race, celebrating its 15th anniversary this year.

Participants this year will face one of the most gruelling and thrilling challenges in the history of the Silk Way Rally, covering a diverse range of landscapes, from taigas and mountain passes to permafrost areas and scorching deserts.

The racecourse stretches over 5,200 kilometers (a little more than 3,200 miles), with nearly 3,000 kilometers designated as high-speed sections.

There are 106 teams from 13 different countries registered to participate in the rally this year. The program includes a wide range of vehicle categories, including off-road vehicles and trucks, motorcycles, and quad bikes.

In the SUV and truck category, over 100 drivers from countries including Russia, Belarus, China, Mongolia, and Turkmenistan will compete.

The international event will also witness the Russian Cross-Country Rally Championships' second and third stages, organized by the International Motorcycling Federation, and scheduled from July 2 to 9.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed confidence in his message to the participants and attendees that the 2024 Silk Way Rally would constitute a significant global sports event and foster international humanitarian cooperation in addition to strengthening business and personal relationships. His message is available on the Kremlin's website.

Since 2009, the yearly rally participants have journeyed over 60,000 kilometers, discovering Eurasia's most awe-inspiring and secluded regions. Known globally as one of the most demanding sports events, the Silk Way race fosters a spirit of camaraderie and mutual support among competitors facing adversity together. The event garners the attention of millions of viewers worldwide.

On July 15, this year's competitors will cross the finish line in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's capital.