Forty-fifth stage : Kiev

For their second stage in Ukraine, Geraldine and Xavier stopped in Kiev, capital and biggest city of the country. To get to this city from Sumy, the crew drove more than 380 km (236 miles).

On the way to Kiev, post-soviet atmosphere with tanks and monuments built for war heroes.

Ukrainian border

Crossing the Ukrainian border, the crew achieves its Asian journey to begin the European one.
The 28th of July is a national day for Ukrainian people, which celebrate the 1996 new Constitution. Thus, Xavier and Géraldine could enjoyed the festive atmosphere in the streets of Sumy.

Forty-fourth stage : Kursk

Since leaving Shanghai, Geraldine and Xavier stopped in 45 citys. They chose Kursk for their last Russian stopover. This stage makes them beeing closer from Ukraine, fourth country of this trip.

Forty-third stage : Voronezh

For one of the last Russian stopover, the adventurers went through 230 km (143 miles) from Borisoglebsk to Voronezh, administrative capital of the area.

During the last four stages, Geraldine and Xavier had to bear extreme heats up to 40°C (104°F) in the shade. Despite these high temperatures, they do not stop visiting places of interest in each stopover.

Distance record

With 10 000 km (6213 miles) on the counter, the crew already achieved two third of the trip. Thus, Venturi establishes a new record, the longest distance traveled with a production electric vehicle.

Venturi demonstrates the reliability and the endurance of its vehicles.

Forty-second stage : Borisoglebsk

For this last stage, the crew drove more than 300 km (186 miles) between Saratov and Borisoglebsk. Landscapes had changed, huge wheatfield remplaced now pine forests.

Forty-first stage : Saratov

In Saratov, the crew reloaded the vehicle in a truck stop. When they have to drive through long distances, villages could become scares. Thus, this kind of accomodations ensures the adventurers a place to spend the night.

In the city, they could visited a traditional Russian church and walk-around on Volga's sides.

Fortieth stage : Samara

Going through 270 km (168 miles) from Oktyabr'skiy to Samara, the two adventurers crossed the Oural, a 2 000 km (1242 miles) Russian moutain chain. By achieving this step, they reached the 9 000th km (5592 miles) traveled and get closer to the first country of the European Union.

Thirty-ninth stage : Oktyabr'skiy

For the first time since the beginning of this trip, the crew suffered a tyre punctured. In China, a nail lodged in it, without creating any damage. But after more than 8 000 km (4970 miles) the tyre bursted.

Xavier and Geraldine enjoyed Oktyabar'skiy surroundings, thanks to Ruslan and Ilnar warm welcome who invite them for a diner on the side of a lake.

Thirty-eight stage : Ufa

From Zlatoust to Ufa, fourth Russian stage, the crew have been through 250 km (155 miles). Vast pines forests and elks replace now Kazakh steppes and calmels.

Thirty-seventh stage : Zlatoust

After more than one mounth and a half spent on roads, the two adventurers keep going their route through Russia. For this thirty-seventh stage, they stopped in Zlatoust, city located in the Tcheliabinsk province.

In Zlatoust, Elan offered Geraldine and Xavier his help to reload the vehicle, by opening them the doors of his building site.

Thirty-sixth stage : Chelyabinsk

To get to Chelyabinsk, Xavier and Geraldine drove more than 280 km (174 miles). Along the road, the roadsign reading and the orientation are complicated as the two drivers are not used to cyrillic alphabet. Visiting a park in the city, the crew enjoyed a military tank exhibition.

Russian border

After having been through China and Kazakhstan, Geraldine and Xavier enter Russia, third country of the trip. Up to now, they already traveled half of the distance, so that is 7 000 km (4350 miles).

Last Kazakh stage : Petropavlovsk

Since they crossed the Kazakh border, Geraldine and Xavier went through 2000 km (1242 miles). Before entering Russia, they stopped in Petropavlovsk, their last Kazakh stage after having driven 270 km (168 miles).

Thirty-third stage : Shuchinsk

Between two stages, the adventurers enjoyed a released time on Burabaï lakesides. Then, they stopped in Shuchinsk for the night to reload the vehicle.

Thirty-second stage : Astana

In Astana, the crew discovered the city's architectural variety. The Big Mosque and the Bayterek building were the two most impressive constructions they could observe.

Thirty-first stage : Ereymentau

The two adventurers keep going their trek through Kazakhstan. Today, they stopped in Ereymentaw, located in the Akmola province.

Thirtieth stage : Ekibastuz

After a 120 km (74 miles) run from Pavlodar, Geraldine and Xavier stopped in Ekibastuz. This stage make them beeing closer to Russia, third country of the route.

Twenty-ninth stage : Pavlodar

For this twenty-ninth stopover, the crew stopped in Pavlodar, thus achieving a 350 km (217 miles) journey. During this trip, they could observe kazakh camels.

Twenty-eight stage : Semey

The crew has traveled 1140 km (708 miles) through Kazakhstan in less than one week. 1 500km (932 miles) are left before Russia.

Twenty-seventh stage : Georgiyevka

On the way to Georgiyevka, Geraldine and Xavier have been checked by local police. This is the third Police checks since they have been in Kazakhstan!

Despite the distance from Siberia, a few hundred kilometers, the temperature is getting colder due to a constant north wind.

Twenty-sixth stage : Ayagov

Between Usharal and Georgiyevka, the crew stopped in Ayagov to reload the vehicle. The garage owner also invited them to eat and sleap according to the "kazakh tradition".

Twenty-fifth stage : Usharal

Today, the crew stopped in Usharal, city located in the Oblysy province. Thus, they achieved their twenty-fifth stage from Shanghai.

Twenty-forth stage : Taldykorgan

To get to their second Kazakh stage, Geraldine and Xavier went through 275 km (170 miles) on damaged roads. Indeed, holes on the pavement and herds crossing roads complicated them the task.

A new landscape appears along the Kazakh steppes.

Twenty-third stage : Koktal

For this first Kazakh stage, the crew stopped in Koktal. To get to Russia, they will have to go through more than 1700 km (1056 miles).

Before crossing the border to enter in Kazakhstan, Xavier and Geraldine were able to rely on local people's hospitality. They were warmly welcomed for a night by a family of Korgas, and also enjoyed a moment of complicity with the customs officers.