Second day in Argentina: breathtaking scenery and protecting the quad from nature’s challenges

On Tuesday, competitors racing in the World Rally-Raid Championship round in Argentina had the chance to admire the country’s spectacular landscapes. In total, participants covered more than 600 kilometers during the second day of competition, although only 127 kilometers counted as the special stage. After returning to the bivouac in San Rafael, “CFMOTO Thunder Racing Team” rider Antanas Kanopkinas said the scenery along the route was truly stunning, while the main challenge came from the small dunes.

“Another day is done — the first 70 kilometers were really enjoyable. It was a light savanna-like terrain with lots of trees and dust. There were good opportunities for overtaking there. Then we reached the sand, where there were many dunes about one and a half meters high. That’s where the beating started, and I had to take care of the quad. But I’m happy that today everything worked out perfectly — the quad is being prepared for another day, and I’m getting some rest. Every day here is extremely difficult and long,” said A. Kanopkinas after completing his second racing day in Argentina, while also expressing his admiration for the event. “Desafío Ruta 40 is truly something incredible. I really like it here — there’s plenty of action. Super.”

On Wednesday, competitors will face one of the longest and toughest days of the rally — a 408-kilometer special stage around San Rafael. Organizers promise highly varied terrain, with competitors tackling sand, rocky sections, dry lakebeds, and fast gravel tracks. The route will climb from approximately 780 meters to as high as 2,700 meters above sea level, meaning riders will have to deal not only with technically demanding terrain, but also with the challenges of altitude.

Most of the stage will consist of hard-packed ground and fast sections, but organizers warn that dunes and rocky areas could also create serious problems, making it essential to protect the machinery. After two long days in Argentina, the third stage will become a true endurance test for the teams — where not only speed matters, but also the ability to stay focused and avoid mistakes throughout the entire day.