Dubai: Multiple UAE and Arab motocross champion Mohammad Al Beloushi is the only Emirati competing in Egypt’s Pharaons Rally this week.
Round three of the six-stage FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship runs for five days from the Mediterranean coast in Al Alamein, 2,500 kilometres south towards the Tibniya Oasis. The last day of the rally will take competitors back up north to Giza for a podium finish in front of the Pyramids.
“I feel very proud of the work we have done so far,” said the KTM-UAE rider, who sits sixth in the championship with 22 points after finishing sixth in Abu Dhabi and tenth in Qatar.
“For a small team, with a small budget like ours, to be able to squeeze in between the super powerful factory riders and team is really amazing. A great achievement that makes us proud Emiratis.”
Al Beloushi, who has previously won nine UAE and five Arab Championships, says the transition from motocross to rally has been a challenge.
“My team and I started this evolution into rallying a bit over a year ago and it has been a bumpy road, very tough at times, but enormously satisfying.
“Training is even harder than before and the sport itself is very demanding on you and your bike. But today I am prepared and all the training gets used when you tackle 500 kilometres of race every day, through tough terrain and weather conditions that quite often are far from ideal for a nice ride.
“We ride absolutely flat out, at 160km/h or whatever your bike gives, through very difficult and changing terrain, all while doing the navigation. It really is amazing and I feel privileged to have this opportunity. Getting to hold the UAE flag high at the finish line after every race is the perfect bonus I work so hard for.”
Al Beloushi has been seeded first for Egypt but was realistic about his chances given the magnitude of the race.
“I am honoured to be part of this legendary rally. Over its history, many of the biggest riders of all time have failed to meet the finish line here because of different kind of difficulties. It’s a tough rally and I am very happy to have the chance to race here.”
