The race in Argentina has reached its halfway point: “CFMOTO Thunder Racing Team” already has two medals

Three out of five racing days have already passed in the World Rally-Raid Championship round in Argentina, and during them competitors have experienced the full diversity of this South American country’s landscapes — from savannas to sand dunes, from fast sections to difficult and dangerous mountain roads. Despite setbacks on the opening day, “CFMOTO Thunder Racing Team” rider Antanas Kanopkinas has already claimed two stage winner medals.

“It was a really good day — everything was super, there were no dramas, but it was extremely difficult. The day demanded maximum commitment both physically and emotionally. The first 200 kilometers were just insane, while the second half of the stage was more about speed. We climbed to an altitude of three kilometers, and that’s where I really felt the lack of power. I’ve never experienced anything like that before in my life,” said A. Kanopkinas after reaching the bivouac, adding that he is happy his body is still holding up under such conditions, although his neck is already starting to hurt.

A. Kanopkinas set the fastest time among the quad riders on both the second and third special stages, earning World Rally-Raid Championship stage winner medals on both days.

On Thursday, competitors will face the fourth special stage as both riders and teams travel back from San Rafael to San Juan. Participants will have to complete 306 kilometers of special stage and more than 340 kilometers of liaison sections. Organizers are predicting a very fast stage — as much as 90 percent of the route will consist of hard-packed terrain, although the remaining sections will feature rocks and areas where protecting the machinery will be crucial.

Another major challenge will be the altitude. The fourth stage will run through the mountains, with the highest point of the route reaching more than 3,100 meters above sea level. After the third stage, A. Kanopkinas already spoke about how the thinner air reduced the power of the quad and demanded extra energy from the riders — and now the course will climb even higher. Organizers also note that this will be an extremely long day, with competitors spending almost the entire day on the route, meaning the key will be not only maintaining speed, but also avoiding mistakes and preserving the machinery ahead of the final day of the rally.