Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Friday welcomed the participants of the Silk Way Dakar Series rally to the capital of the southern Russian republic of Adygea and wished them a successful journey.
"I am sincerely glad to welcome all participants and organizers of the Silk Way Rally," Putin said in Maikop.
The 4,813-km (2,991-mile) race began on September 11 in Russia's second city of St. Petersburg and will finish in the Black sea resort city of Sochi, the host of the 2014 Winter Olympics, on Saturday.
Putin praised the participants for their courage.
"We give you our best wishes to successfully complete the competition," he said.
MAIKOP, September 17 (RIA Novosti)
