The international Silk Road Rally starts in Irkutsk on July 12, it will pass through the Irkutsk region, the Republic of Buryatia, Mongolia and will end in Gorno-Altaysk.

"In July 2025, one of the stages of the International Silk Road Rally will be held in the Irkutsk region. The grand start of the race will be given in Irkutsk on July 12 ... Every year the organizers update the race route. This year, it is planned to be held in two countries – Russia and Mongolia," the source said.

It is planned that this time sports crews from more than 13 countries of the world will take part in the competition. More than 1,000 people, as well as over 350 vehicles, will be involved in the preparation of the rally and races. The winners will be determined in five categories: trucks, cars, ATVs, motorcycles and ATVs.

For the first time in the history of the competition, the Russian stage will consist of two parts: the first will be held in the Irkutsk region, then the participants will travel through the Republic of Buryatia to Mongolia and return to Russia. They will finish in Gorno-Altaysk on July 22.

The Silk Road Rally Marathon is a globally recognized sporting event of the highest difficulty category. The rally was first held in September 2009 in Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.