Dubai: UAE rider Mohammad Al Balooshi will be out to complete unfinished business when he takes part in the Dakar Rally from January 6-20.
The Emirati was forced to retire with a broken wrist in his first participation in the gruelling 8,782-km event through Peru, Bolivia and Argentina, back in 2012.
Now he’s back after qualifying sixth from the world standings, where he was first among the private teams.
“The Dakar Rally is unfinished business to me, and I feel super excited about having a second chance at it,” he said.
“This race is beyond extreme, and with the demanding admission process the organisers have in place for the bikes, it’s a privilege to be part of it. The biggest plus for me this time is to be able to take to these remote lands in South America the colours of the UAE flag and the strength of our country’s father, racing under the “Year of Zayed” hashtag. It’s an honour for me, and I will carry our colours and the name of Shaikh Zayed with great pride.”
The rally runs for two weeks, through some of the toughest terrains and environmental changes you can think of.
From sea level to 3,600-metres of altitude and temperatures ranging from 45 degrees Celsius to below zero, or passing through mountains, river beds, salt lakes, driving rain and unforgiving sun, competitors will experience it all. This will also be done without assistance.
“Rallying is very demanding from a physical point of view, but also mentally,” added Al Balooshi.
“We have very long days of 500-km per day of proper racing and, on a bike, without a chassis around you to protect you if you fall, it’s important to minimise the number of mistakes you make. It’s challenging because on a bike you’re alone, without the help of a co-driver, without a chassis, riding at 160-km per hour through unknown terrain, and you have to focus on riding and navigation at the same time.
“The smallest mistake can throw you to the ground and send you home with broken bones. Knowing this, I am prepared to fight, training consciously, confident, fit and super excited about proving that, in the UAE, we are strong competitors and up for any challenge no matter how tough.”
