2026 China DHD Rally Concludes Successfully
On September 11, the 2026 China DHD Rally staged its final competitive stage — the SS6 Sibao Stage. Covering a total distance of 218.39 kilometres including a special competitive distance of 99.43 kilometres, the event wrapped up with a finish ceremony and awards ceremony held in Hami. In the National Class A category, Niels from Kove Rally Team claimed the overall motorcycle championship, while Wang Xiaoming and Yang Wei from Can-Am Pioneer Racing Team secured the UTV overall championship.
Kicking off on September 4 and closing on September 11, the 2026 China DHD Rally lasted 8 days. It featured a total track length of approximately 2,500 kilometres, with around 1,300 kilometres of special competitive stages. More than 100 domestic and foreign riders challenged themselves across gobi deserts, yardang landforms, deserts and river courses in this extreme cross-country competition.
Final Stage Decides Championship Ownership, Niels Claims Motorcycle Overall Title
The championship suspense lasted until the final stage of the 2026 China DHD Rally. In the intense competition of SS6, Tobias from Zhang Xue Motorcycle Team clocked the fastest stage time of 57 minutes and 07 seconds. Niels Theiler followed closely with 57 minutes and 14 seconds, and Zaker Yaqub ranked third with 57 minutes and 48 seconds. Martin Michek from MRG Kove Rally Team, who led the overall standings before the stage, retired due to motorcycle mechanical failure, dropping sharply from first place to 27th in the final overall rankings. “I heard Martin’s engine broke down at about the 5-kilometre mark. I really feel sorry for him,” Niels said after the race.
The final championship results were thus confirmed. Niels Theiler won the National Class A overall motorcycle championship with a total time of 13 hours, 56 minutes and 22 seconds. Zaker Yaqub took second place with 14 hours, 07 minutes and 01 seconds, and Milan Engel finished third with 14 hours, 29 minutes and 38 seconds. In the UTV category, Wang Xiaoming/Yang Wei claimed the championship with a total time of 15 hours, 57 minutes and 25 seconds, with He Rongzhe/Hao Xingyu and Qian Zhixin/Bai Zhonghua taking the second and third spots respectively.
After the award ceremony, Niels shared his competition experience. He started the final stage at the top of the provisional standings, with only a two-and-a-half-minute gap ahead of Martin before the stage. He spared no effort and delivered his best form to compete for the championship. “I’m extremely happy to win the championship. I’ve been working hard every day, even though we encountered various minor problems during the preparation and competition. I’m proud of my motorcycle, which ran smoothly throughout the entire rally.”
Zaker Yaqub completed the rally as an unsupported rider with a hint of regret. “I spent nearly the whole night repairing my motorcycle until around midnight yesterday, and only slept for a few hours before starting the final stage. I finished just a few minutes behind the champion, which is a real pity. Next year, I will participate with my own team and strive to win the championship on my home track.”
Abas Ghapar ranked fourth in the overall standings. He commented, “The 2026 China DHD Rally has gathered top riders from all over the world. I hope more international riders will join this event in the future.”
Tobias from Zhang Xue Motorcycle Racing Team said the one-week competition was a fruitful journey. The team completed a large number of vehicle tests during the event. Though he felt regretful for failing to achieve an ideal ranking, he vowed to make a strong comeback next year. Zhang Xue admitted she was not in good form in the first half of the 2026 China DHD Rally and even lacked physical strength in SS2. “I adjusted well in the later stages and kept pushing the limits. The competition this year was extremely fierce, with only a few minutes separating the top finishers. I hope I can participate in the China DHD Rally every year.”
Yuan Bo, the U45 category champion, summed up his China DHD Rally experience in eight words: “Enjoy the race, challenge yourself.”
Hardcore Competition: Three-Year Leap from Provincial Event to International FIM Calendar
The biggest breakthrough of the 2026 China DHD Rally is its official filing with the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), with CHINA DHD RALLY officially listed on the FIM international official race calendar. Yao Rongjiang, Chief Director of the event, said the professional team had prepared for this milestone for nine years. The team organized six field studies of the Dakar Rally to learn advanced experience before adapting and creating the exclusive China DHD Rally track and competition system.
The event has achieved a remarkable three-level upgrade in three years: starting as a provincial-level competition in 2024, upgraded to a national-level event in 2025, and finally entering the FIM international official calendar in 2026. This rapid growth stems from the long-term accumulation of the organizing team and the entire motorcycle industry, as well as the professional support of the Federation of Automobile and Motorcycle Sports of China in terms of competition rules, safety specifications and operation systems.
The 2026 China DHD Rally achieved comprehensive upgrades in competition schedules. In addition to the qualifying stage, six professional special stages were set up. Among them, the SS4 Secret Great Wall Stage boasted the longest special distance of 326.27 kilometres. SS4 and SS5 jointly formed a 48-hour marathon timing unit. Riders stayed overnight at the closed unsupported Sandaoling Camp, with overnight rest time excluded from the competition time, and external assistance was completely prohibited throughout the stage. This is the first-ever marathon stage set up in domestic motorcycle rally events.
Diverse Lineup: From Dakar Elite Veterans to First-Time Amateur Riders
The participant lineup of the 2026 China DHD Rally covers professional and amateur riders of all levels. The National Class A gathered elite domestic and foreign strength, including two major domestic manufacturers — Kove and Zhang Xue Motorcycle, as well as international famous riders Martin Michek, Milan Engel, Niels Theiler, Zaker Yaqub and Abas Ghapar, who staged intense duels across all stages. Sunil won wide praise from inside and outside the venue for repeatedly rescuing fellow riders in the desert during the rally. In the UTV category, Wang Xiaoming/Yang Wei maintained a stable leading position in the overall standings, while teams including He Rongzhe/Hao Xingyu also delivered outstanding performances.
The event also provided a professional competition platform for many first-time participants. In the new energy category, the Southwest Associated University Motorcycle Team, composed of alumni and students from Peking University and Tsinghua University, is known as “China’s most academically advanced motorcycle team”. The West Wind Racing Team received full-process logistical and technical support from Zhang Min’s Riding Classroom. Zhang Min introduced that the team provided all-round services including vehicle modification, material and accessory preparation, and gobi and desert terrain adaptation training for riders. The support team was equipped with Dakar-level mechanics, and the coaches and team leaders are all experienced riders who have participated in the Taklimakan Rally for many years. He hoped that riders can first learn to experience the rally, then enjoy it, master road book reading, route planning and physical strength distribution skills, and that completing the thousands-of-kilometre track is the greatest gain of the China DHD Rally.
Long Jie, known as “Long Mazi”, made his debut in Class C of the 2026 China DHD Rally. “I have never participated in such a formal and professional rally before, and the experience is incredible. One should dare to try things they’ve never done in their life. Being brave means taking a step forward. Every rider who safely finished the China DHD Rally is a true warrior.”
Orderly Rescue Support: Solid Backing for All Riders
A total of more than 100 riders signed up for the three categories of the 2026 China DHD Rally. Compared with car racers, motorcycle riders face higher competition risks. The organizing committee invested unprecedented resources in safety guarantee: 3 medical helicopters, more than 20 pursuit and rescue off-road vehicles deployed along the track, 13 medical teams and 4 ambulances moving synchronously with the competition stages, building a comprehensive emergency rescue system.
Dozens of pursuit vehicles were stationed at key points across the entire track, among which 5 to 7 rescue vehicles followed Class A and Class B riders from the starting point. One of the three medical helicopters kept cruising in the air throughout the competition. Once the cruising helicopter was dispatched to rescue injured riders, another helicopter would take off immediately for standby. Ambulances were on duty 24 hours a day at the start and finish of each stage.
Zhao Hongyi, Deputy Chief Director of the event, introduced that multiple injuries occurred during the desert stages of the rally. The injured riders were airlifted from the track and transferred to ambulances for immediate hospital treatment. Backup ambulances were in place at all times to ensure zero vacuum in medical support. “Protecting the life safety of every rider is the top priority of the Federation of Automobile and Motorcycle Sports of China and the event organizing committee. Every wonderful and safe China DHD Rally is inseparable from the silent dedication of all staff members.”
Dai Wanli, the oldest 66-year-old rider, successfully completed all stages of the rally. He said the strong safety guarantee system of the organizing committee gave him the greatest confidence to participate and finish the race. Su Haobo, founder of the Taklimakan Rally, commented: “The China DHD Rally is the safest training ground for off-road riders.”
Track Empowers City Development: China DHD Rally Embarks on a Broader Journey
The competition track of the 2026 China DHD Rally runs through Hami and Shanshan, covering Nanhu Gobi, DHD Yardang Landform Group, Kumtag Desert, Sandaoling and Sibao. Yao Rongjiang said Xinjiang was chosen as the competition venue for its unique and diverse off-road landforms and important cultural coordinates on the ancient Silk Road. “In the future, the China DHD Rally will become an important sports and cultural link on the Silk Road.” His vision is to extend the track eastward to Dunhuang and westward to Hotan, reproducing the full landscape of the ancient DHD corridor buried in wind and sand. During the rally, the camp culture, cultural and tourism integration and ethnic exchanges driven by the China DHD Rally have spread beyond the track.
Yao Rongjiang revealed that the team has started detailed optimization plans for next year’s China DHD Rally. For Class A, the track difficulty will be increased by 10% to 20% while retaining the original entry threshold; Class B will lower entry barriers and participation costs to attract more amateur riders; Class C will be built into a low-threshold, high-fun experience category. The main competition camp will be relocated to the depths of the gobi, allowing more motorsports enthusiasts to experience the unique camp culture of the DHD Rally.
The 2026 China DHD Rally is co-hosted by the Federation of Automobile and Motorcycle Sports of China, Sports Bureau of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Hami Municipal People’s Government, Turpan Municipal People’s Government and Xinjiang Daming Mining Group Co., Ltd.
Jointly undertaken by Xinjiang Motorcycle Sports Association, Hami Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, Television and Tourism, Turpan Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, Television and Tourism, Yizhou District People’s Government, Shanshan County People’s Government, CAMF Event Operation Co., Ltd., Xinjiang Daming Sports & Culture Co., Ltd. and Xinjiang Daming Event Operation Co., Ltd.
Supported by China Motorcycle Chamber of Commerce, Samaranch Sports Development Foundation and Hami Construction (Group) Co., Ltd.
Event Award List
National Group A
Overall Motorcycle Top 3
Champion: Niels Theiler
Runner-up: Zaker Yaqub
Third Place: Milan Engel
National Class A Unsupported Category
Champion: Zaker Yaqub
Runner-up: Shi Haoyu
Third Place: Sulaiman Daguti
Overall UTV Top 3
Champion: Wang Xiaoming/Yang Wei
Runner-up: He Rongzhe/Hao Xingyu
Third Place: Qian Zhixin/Bai Zhonghua
National Group A Rookie Champion: Aizihar Ghapar
National Group A U45 Champion: Yuan Bo
National Group A Club Cup Champion: Kove Rally Team
National Group A UTV Club Cup Champion: Can-Am Pioneer Racing Team
National Group A Manufacturer Cup Champion: Kove Motorcycles
National Group A UTV Champion: Can-Am Power Products
Regional Group B
Overall Motorcycle Top 3
Champion: Adili Barati
Runner-up: Ababakri Kerem
Third Place: Nurmemet Alim
Local Class B Unsupported Category
Champion: Adili Barati
Runner-up: Ababakri Kerem
Third Place: Bektiyar Emer
Regional Group B Women’s Cup Champion: Zhang Yuan
Regional Group B New Energy Women’s Cup Champion: Li Youjia
Regional Group Rookie Champion: Zhang Yuan
Regional Group B U45 Champion: Ruan Qixiang
