Dubai – On the eve of the UAE’s National Day, Mohammed Al Balooshi brought glory to the nation by clinching his third FIM Bajas World Cup title after an intense weekend at the Dubai International Baja.
This marked a fitting finale for the 2024 international off-road racing season, showcasing fierce competition across bikes and cars in Dubai’s challenging desert terrain.
Poland’s Konrad Dabrowski took the event win in the motorbike category, riding his KTM 450 to victory. However, Al Balooshi’s second-place finish secured him the championship.
Reflecting on his achievement, the UAE rider said, “Winning the world title for the second consecutive year and for the third time overall is a perfect way to celebrate on our National Day. The race was tough, but the championship was the ultimate goal.”
The motorbike competition spanned three days, with riders navigating 867 kilometers of intense desert routes. Despite mechanical setbacks during earlier stages, Al Balooshi delivered a strong final day performance.
His brother, Sultan Al Balooshi, added to the family’s success with a podium finish in third, while UAE’s Hamdan Alali finished fifth.
Dubai-based Briton Alex McInnes posted the fastest time of the day but penalties relegated him to fourth overall. In the Quads category, UAE’s Abdulaziz Ahli dominated, securing a resounding victory, while Saudi Arabia’s Hani Al Noumesi clinched the overall title.
The women’s category saw Poland’s Joanna Modrzewska crowned champion after Aishwarysa Pissay retired from the competition.
Al Attiyah Dominates Cars While Ferreira Takes FIA Baja World Cup
In the car division, Portugal’s Joao Ferreira claimed the FIA Baja World Cup title after a nail-biting final day. Ferreira, partnered with co-driver Filipe Palmeiro in their X-Raid Mini JCW, edged out fierce competition, finishing second behind Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah.
Ferreira’s performance secured both the Ultimate class and the overall championship, marking a historic achievement for the Portuguese driver.
Al Attiyah, a seasoned champion, extended his legacy with a record 13th victory in Dubai, piloting his Nasser Racing Taurus T3 buggy. “It’s always a pleasure to race in Dubai,” Al Attiyah said, reflecting on his decades-long dominance in the desert.
The car event was not without drama. Early leaders Lucas Moraes and Armand Monleon, driving Toyota’s experimental Hilux, were forced to retire on the final day, clearing the path for Al Attiyah’s victory.
Denis Krotov of Kyrgyzstan took third place, followed by two French teams, Lionel and Lucie Baud, and Ronan Chabot and Gilles Pillot.
UAE’s Khalid Al Jalfa Shines in Challenger Class
In the Challenger class, Spain’s Edoardo Pons edged out UAE’s Khalid Al Jalfa to claim the championship crown after an impressive sixth-place finish.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Dania Akeel secured the FIA Middle East Baja Cup’s Ultimate class honors, rounding off a thrilling weekend of international motorsport in Dubai.
This year’s Dubai International Baja underscored the UAE’s prominence in the global off-road racing circuit, blending fierce competition with a celebration of the country’s rich motorsport heritage.