Dubai: Mohammad Al Beloushi starts the first leg of the Atacama Rally in Chile, round five of the six-stage FIM Cross Country Rally World Championship, on Wednesday.
The 35-year-old Emirati is currently fourth in the championship on 41 points, 29 points short of series leader Marc Coma of Spain, and is the only Arab in the field.
He finished sixth, tenth and third in the first three rounds of the series in the UAE, Qatar and Egypt respectively, but missed round four of the series in Italy and will likely miss the final round in Morocco.
“I am very positive about this race,” said Al Beloushi. “The Atacama Rally is famous among the world’s best riders because of its toughness, extreme aridity and because it is one of the most unforgiving terrains that will make you pay a high toll even for the smallest mistake.
“I have been training very hard and I am confident me and my team can do a good job in Chile,” he added. “We are well prepared and will definitely give our best to bring the bike and our UAE flag to the finish line.”
