URUMQI, China, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Spanish rider Armand Hernandez thundered across 324km from Makit to Hotan after a two-day break in Taklimakan Rally's 5th stage on Sunday, leaving his rivals out of sight.
"Today everyone kept a fast speed and I enjoyed it, it's time to rest up and prepare for the next challenge," the rider from KTM2R2 Star said.
However, Hernandez's teammate Zhao Hongyi, and former winner Zhou Tian of Team Gan Tan Hao, both suffered motorbike accidents earlier and out of stage. Whether they can continue the rest of rally depends on their medical check-ups' result and motorbikes' condition.
The 53-year-old Lavieille Christian took the lead again after finishing the SS5 in 3 hours 29 minutes, reinforcing his advantage in T1 4WD group.
The sixth stage, a long-distance and grueling desert section, will be held on Monday morning, which was regarded as the route to decide the final rankings.
