URUMQI, China, May 22 (Xinhua) -- The Taklimakan Rally entered its second special stage (SS2) on Thursday, pushing racers to their limits across the first major desert section of this year's race.

The 115-kilometer route featured relentless soft dunes, unpredictable terrain and complex topography that tested both control and navigation precision.

Despite the soaring difficulty, the Chongqing Hoto Factory team delivered strong performances. Czech rider Martin Michek, despite racing with a fever and headache, was the first to cross the finish line. Both he and teammate Fang Mingji acknowledged that the conditions were tougher even than those in the world-famous Dakar Rally.

"I'm getting older, and soft sand is harder for me to manage," said Fang. "But I'm very pleased with my son Fang Xiangliang's performance. He's young, fit, and not far behind Martin."

In the car category, four-time champion Han Wei opted for a steady approach, safely completing the stage. Top drivers Fan Gaoxiang, Liu Yangui, and Lin Dewei also began to find their rhythm, setting the stage for a highly competitive title race.

Chinese Taipei driver Lin - no stranger to the rally - was still taken aback by the evolving desert landscape.

"The desert has always felt familiar, but this time it redefined my expectations. There were steep drop-offs and scattered potholes today," he said. "It was tough. But my navigator and I worked really well together."

Competitors will tackle SS3 on Friday, a 335-kilometer stage expected to further widen the field.