Dubai: Mohammad Al Beloushi, the only Emirati competitor taking part of round five of the FIM Cross Country Rally World Championship in Chile, managed to stay in ninth position in the overall classification at the end of leg three despite suffering technical problems.
The multiple motocross champion faced electrical problems in his KTM Rally Replica 450 as it kept stalling and stopping. This delayed him in the first part of Wednesday, in which the tricky and rocky terrain in a dry river bed required competitors to ride in lower gears.
Also a difference in the alert system of the safety equipment cost the Arab champion a five-minute penalty.
The leg covered about 500 kilometres — of which 350 were competitive sections.
“I think today it was probably the most beautiful stage I have ridden in my life,” Al Beloushi said. “Great terrain variety, excellent weather conditions, just perfect except from the bike that was not at its best. My team has been trying to solve the electric problems and hopefully tomorrow we’ll have a new go on this amazing Chilean land.”
Mahir Badri, Sports2 Managing Director, said: “These types of rallies are very tough and challenging, and you need to be prepared to expect the unexpected at all times. Despite having an integral plan and working hard on strategy and preparation, we still need to take it day by day and get the best out of it to always add to our learning curve.”
