2017 Silk Road Rally Concludes at Xi'an City of China, Starting Point of Ancient Silk Road

Xi'an,(China), July 23: 2017 Silk Road Rally concluded on July 22 at Xi'an City of China,  a starting point of ancient Silk Road, and the capital of Middle Kingdom. The seventh edition of the Silk Road Rally started from Moscow on July 7, 2017. Motorsports lovers crossed mountains and deserts of Russia, Kazakhstan and China offering their fans some unforgettable moments this summer.

Russia's KAMAZ-master team won on 2017 Silk Way Rally.

The rally brought together participants from different countries. After covering around 10,000 kms, the rally arrived on, July 22, in Xi’an city of China where the Great Silk Road began many centuries ago.

The rally, which traced the route of the ancient caravan road, is rightly considered a major event in international sports and has always attracted broad public interest and attention.

The adventurous journey from Russia's Moscow to Xi'an demands endurance, strength and discipline, said the organizer of the event.

The President of Russia Vladimir Putin congratulated winners of 2017 Silk Way Rally and lauded the high level of race organization, saying rally  aimed at the strengthening of people -to-people relations, building roads of cooperation.

Vladimir Putin, said in his congratulatory message: I would like to congratulate the organisers of the Silk Way Rally for their excellent work. I am confident that such wonderful projects contribute to the development of international cooperation, the strengthening of friendship and increased understanding between people.I wish you success in your future projects.

Vladimir Chagin,General Director of the Silk Way Rally, said: “Thank you all!”

“This Silk Way Rally has once again proved itself worthy of its status as an international sporting event. In each country crossed there were many spectators at the side of the route. The race was even tougher than last year due to the rain that has followed us from Moscow, adding an extra degree of difficulty for the competitors. But nothing stands in the way of sport, courage and passion. I would like to thank all the competitors on this 2017 edition for their determination, that is the mark of all great sportsmen and women. I would also like to thank all the members of the organisation, as well as our partners, without whom this fantastic sporting and human adventure would not exist. Thank you all and see you next year.”  

Frédéric Lequien, Deputy Director of the Silk Way Rally, said in remarks: “Suspense and excitement”

“This 2017 edition of the Silk Way Rally was one of suspense and excitement. We’ve had two weeks of real rally-raid with the variety of terrain that is the key to the success of this discipline. All in the magnificent scenery of Russia, Kazakhstan and of course, China. The level of competition has never been so high. Cyril Despres and David Castera’s second consecutive victory in the cars shows just how much off-road experience the Silk Way Rally demands. Bravo also to the Chinese teams and crews who contributed so much to the competition, resulting in the 2nd place of Christian Lavieille and the third of Han Wei. In the trucks the battle was intense from beginning to end, with a final duel between the Kamaz. Bravo to Sotnikov and Shibalov for a fight that came down to the second, all the way to the eve of the finish. Bravo also to team Kamaz-Master for their emphatic podium! Throughout the 15 days, the sporting exploits and human adventure of this Silk Way Rally was broadcast in some 195 countries and thrilled millions of viewers.” 

Officials said, throughout history, the Silk Road has played a key role in bringing Europe and Asia together.