Sandstorms and starlight: When the five-star red flag is raised at the Dakar finish line

Release time:

2026-01-20

On January 17th, as the last rays of the setting sun fell upon the finish line of the Dakar Rally, a familiar splash of red slowly unfurled amidst the swirling sandstorm. It was the five-starred red flag—once again, the red color of China shone brightly at the finish line of the world's toughest rally. At that moment, thousands of miles away, we, along with all China motorsport enthusiasts, held our breath and were deeply moved.

The 2026 Dakar Rally has officially concluded, with the China team once again completing their long-distance expversion. Lu Binglong and Tao Yongming of Jiujiang Racing Team finished 27th and 34th respectively, completing this grueling test spanning thousands of kilometers. Behind every successful finish lies countless moments of perseverance on the edge of the limit—just like the DN shock absorbers that silently, yet crucially, steadily support the race car amidst bumps and jumps.

Tao Yongming, winner of the "Rookie Award," stood on the finish line, covered in dust, yet his smile remained clear and bright. As a Dakar rookie, through 14 stages and thousands of kilometers, he progressed from initial cautious exploration to eventual steady driving. Every step of his journey was imbued with the vigor and resilience of China's young generation of motorcyclists. For him, this award was not only an affirmation of his debut but also a solemn promise for the next journey.

Even more encouraging is that Jiujiang Racing's JJ3 T1+ race cars broke into the top ten twice during the race, driven by Fan Gaoxiang and Zhang Biaobiao respectively. This is not a chance flash of brilliance, but proof that China's independently developed racing car technology is gradually catching up with the world's top levels. In those most challenging desert stages, competing against the world's top teams, China racing is gradually closing the gap.

Dakar Rally is never an easy journey. China drivers faced not only the challenges of the natural environment but also the pressure of competing against the world's top racers. Their steady performance, step by step, allowed them to complete the entire race – that is their greatest victory.

When we see the five-star red flag fluttering on the finish line, we are moved not only by the color red itself, but also by the perseverance and progress it represents. The development of China motorsport is like the tracks on the Dakar Rally circuit—winding but always moving forward. Behind every step forward are countless silent, supporting technical forces, guarding the direction of progress with every tremor.

From their first participation to consistently finishing the race, China drivers have taken every step in Dakar Rally with steadfastness and determination. They have no overnight success stories, only day-to-day accumulation; no earth-shattering declarations, only silent dedication—how similar this is to the true spirit of professional technical skill: unassuming, yet always present.

When the red flag is lowered and the team packs their bags, they take away not only achievements and honors, but also invaluable experience and confidence. At the next Dakar Rally, and the one after that, the red color of China will surely shine even brighter in that desert. Because the true spirit of racing is never about momentary speed and passion, but about the courage and perseverance to keep moving forward on the long road—and the wisdom to transform every bump into a driving force for progress.

A salute to all the China racers on the Dakar Rally journey! You have shown the world another possibility for Chinese speed – a steady and resilient force, a character that continues to move forward even in extreme environments.