While the 2021 Silk Way Rally was on its way to Mongolia, the threat of Covid-19 prevented the second round of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship crossing the border and the event was confined entirely to Siberia.
But, stunning scenery and a sterling effort by rally organisers to cover over 3,000km, eased riders’ frustration. Austrian Matthias Walkner (KTM) was able to claim the victory from Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) and Franco Caimi (Hero). Murum Purevdorj (KTM) secured the win in Rally2 and Aleksandr Maksimov topped the quad category.
On July 3, following a letter from Dr. Denis Protsenko (the doctor in charge of Covid-19 for the Silk Way Rally), the news that the rally would not be able to cross the border into Mongolia and would run entirely in the beautiful Altai region of Siberia fell like a hammer blow at the bivouac in Gorno-Altaisk.
The health situation in Mongolia was giving serious cause for concern and the organisers did not want to risk the health of officials and competitors. There was obvious disappointment for all participants, who had been eager to discover the Mongolian landscapes and meet its welcoming people.
Nevertheless, rally organisers worked with the co-operation of competitors to arrange a decent route and the minimum distance required for the event to be eligible for FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship points and maintain a coefficient of 1.5.
Motorcycle riders enjoyed varied tracks through this region of Siberia with its flourishing nature, forests, desert plateaux, fords and fast roads.
Walkner (KTM) came out on top after the five days of racing. “It was a somewhat strange rally because it was much shorter than expected, but in the end it was a very beautiful rally with extraordinary landscapes,” said the winner. “Today, the special was almost the most beautiful I have ever ridden. The loop in the forest was incredible. And I’m great, super happy to have won because I don’t know which trophy is the most beautiful, that of the Dakar or that of the Silk Way Rally with the tiger!”
In the Team Yamaha, n the back of his victory in Kazakhstan, Ross Branch led the rally for the first two days, but was then forced to retire due to a mechanical problem. Andrew Short was also unlucky and fell in a ford on stage three and lost a lot of time, before finishing eighth and Adrien van Beveren reached the finish in sixth position.
While Daniel Sanders (GasGas) claimed three stage victories and Howes climbed on to the second step of the podium. “I would have liked this rally to last longer but it’s a great race,” said Howes. “I’m really happy for the team and for Matthias and my second place on the podium in the World Championship. I worked so hard for that. It’s a beautiful country and it’s hard to find the words to describe it, the emotions I feel to have the chance to ride a motorcycle in this region!”
His Team Husqvarna colleague Luciano Benavides finished seventh.
The third step of the podium went to Argentina’s Caimi (Hero). “Today, the track had been bulldozed and was therefore in much better condition than expected, because it was the second time that we would run this loop,” said Caimi. “I had fun on the Hero and I feel more comfortable on the bike. It’s a great place for Team Hero, who worked hard and deserved a podium.”
In the quad category, victory fell to Aleksandr Maksimov (Yamaha), who was happy to race in his own country and have the support of the public. Rafal Sonik finished second after losing time in a river, although he completed his 47th FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship event!
Mongolian rider Murum Puredorj (KTM) won Rally2 from Carlo Cabini (Honda) and Aleksandr Maksimov (Yamaha).
FIM Communications