2019 Silk Way Rally route  

1.    Irkutsk – Baikalsk: 7th of July / Total distance: 255,53 km

This first stage of the Silk Way Rally 2019 includes a 59,87 km battle against the clock along the narrow roads of the Siberian Taiga. A hard and stony track which will take riders along forest routes, rivers and dusty hills until arriving for a rest to the rally’s camp by the shores of the Lake Baikal. 

2.    Baikalsk – Ulan-Ude: 8th of July / Total distance: 413,63 km

At the Lake Baikal region, the second stage, which includes 212.02 timed kilometres, will run along sinuous stony roads. A real challenge for the tires which will be put to the most extreme of test and will have to adapt to the constantly changing terrain. 

There will be mountains, steppe plateaus, and rivers at the heart of the Siberian Taiga. Participants will have to combine top speeds with perfect navigation if they want to get a good starting position in the standings.  

3.    Ulan-Ude – Ulaanbaatar:  9th of July / Total distance: 691,35 km

The 2019 Silk Way Rally Route arrives in Mongolia during the third stage, the country that will host a total of five completely new stages. Again, top speed and great orientation skills are key to be able to cross successfully the vast steppes of the land of Genghis Khan and the mountain tracks around Ulaanbaatar. The country’s capital and its Four Holly Peaks will welcome the expedition with an exciting 243 timed kilometres.

4.  Ulaanbaatar – Ulaanbaatar: 10th of July / Total distance: 476,96 km

The fourth day of the rally will consist of a circular stage starting and finishing in Ulaanbaatar. A total of 470.19 kilometres against the clock where drivers will have to contend with dry riverbeds, salt lakes, hills and stony plateaus while taking in the breath-taking views of the Mongolian steppe.

They will also have to keep an eye out for the abundant local fauna. All of this makes of this stage one of the most important ones in the route of the Silk Way Rally 2019. 

5.   Ulaanbaatar – Mandalgovi  11th of July / Total distance: 364,59 km

The fifth stage of 2019 Silk Way Rally Route will run along Mongolia’s iconic tracks, which include a total off 337 off-road, hard to navigate, dust roads, hills and steppe. Having left behind some monumental and touristic areas, participants will get away from the heat. Then, they will have to find the quickest way up the mountains for a 1.600-meter climb. 

6.    Mandalgovi – Dalanzadgad 12th of July / Total distance: 411.75 km

On the sixth day of the rally, there will be a vibrant battle along the 408.17 kilometres against the clock along fast and wide roads. With constant direction changes, the roadbook will be the most important tool for competitors. The stunning route will run between Mandalgovi and Dalanzadgad, where drivers could have a well-deserved rest. 

7.   Dalanzadgad – Bayinbaolige: 13th of July/ Total distance: 370,37 km

During the seventh day of the 2019 Silk Way Rally Route, participants will cross the border into China where they will dispute the last 180, 29 kilometres of the day. This ‘no race’ stage includes a total of 550,66 kilometres.

8.    Bayinbaolige – Alashan: 14th of July / Total distance: 785.11 km 

After the ‘rest’ stage of the day before, drivers will face the longest and hardest stage of the Rally. A total of 326.6 kilometres against the clock and a great variety of terrains. 

After overcoming the initial large dunes, drivers will have to come to terms with more sand, dry river beds, ravines, canyons and steppes. A true adventure which could decide the fate of the raid. 

 9.   Alashan – Jiayuguan: 15th of July / Total distance: 501,2 km 

The ninth stage, with a total of 290.30 kilometres against the clock, will start from the same spot that marked the arrival on the day before. A large part of the way is made up of sandy tracks. At this stage, drivers will have to cross the magnificent Gobi Desert where a fast pace is key. 

During the second half of the day, a series of obstacles (bumps, little dunes and dry river beds) will force competitors to reduce their average speed. 

10.  Jiayuguan – Dunhuang 16th of July / Total distance: 556,66 km

The final stage of the raid, starting on the Jiayuguan hills, will get more and more technically difficult after every one of its 255 timed kilometres.

Drivers will encounter numerous canyons, plateaus and dry river beds along its twisting roads before entering an imposing valley. The smooth and fast ground of the latter part of the day will be the backdrop for the grand finale and perhaps mark the decisive moments of the 2019 Silk Rally Route.

Images: Silk Rally