Antanas Kanopkinas Aims for a World Record Amid Challenging Conditions

This weekend, during the CFMOTO Day Baltic 2025 event held at Kadrina Manor in Estonia — a gathering for motorcycle and ATV enthusiasts from across the Baltics — racer Antanas Kanopkinas is setting out to break a world record. Having conquered the Dakar Rally on a quad and stood on the World Championship podium in third place, Kanopkinas is now aiming to cover at least 1,200 kilometers on a quad in 24 hours.

“As of now, just before the start, it’s extremely hot, and the forecast for the next 24 hours promises changeable weather — from the current 30 degrees Celsius to expected rain on Sunday morning. That will certainly add some drama and excitement,” Kanopkinas said just hours before the start. “The prep was supposed to begin yesterday, but we only gained access to the venue today, so now we’re rushing to do everything we can to be ready in time.”

The planned start is set for Saturday at 4:00 PM — a time chosen deliberately. Beginning in daylight will allow him to collect what he calls some “cheap kilometers” while conditions are still easier. The ride will become more demanding once darkness falls, but Kanopkinas says the biggest challenge will come at dawn:

“In the morning, around 14 hours into the ride — that’s when the real test begins for the body. But that’s also when the area will start filling up with people, which I know will provide strong motivation to keep going. And I’m already used to long and monotonous rides thanks to endless rally liaison sections.”

For this 24-hour challenge, Kanopkinas will use a brand-new, out-of-the-box CFMOTO 850 G3 ATV — the same machine available to consumers.

“The quad is fully ready — the odometer currently shows just eight kilometers. I’ve already done one lap of the record track. Everything’s good to go.”