Dubai: UAE Motocross champion Mohammad Al Beloushi is looking forward to give off his best as he participates in this weekend’s final round of the 2018 FIM Bajas World Cup taking place in the ancient city of Veszprem, Hungary.
The picturesque town is surrounded by winding dirt tracks and forests which will be home to the last round of the World Cup and Al Beloushi will be looking forward to adding enough points to try and finish ahead of his challengers.
The UAE champion goes into the final round with a narrow three-point lead over French rider Michael Metge. He is fully aware that securing a good result in the Hungarian Baja will not be an easy task considering the many challengers on the entry list.
Al Beloushi needs a top-five finish so that he can become the first Emirati rider to claim the FIM Bajas world crown. “This will be a weekend of firsts for me. This is my first time racing in Hungary, and it is also my first time to reach the final round of the Baja World Championship with the lead against my name. This new challenge before me and I hope to deliver on all fronts by the time the weekend concludes,” Al Beloushi said.
“Of course, there is the thrill of racing against some of the best riders, but I’m really looking forward to battle and give my very best. It’s a very special time of my life and of my career,” he added.
Last month, Al Beloushi consolidated to his lead at the top of the standings while finishing tenth at the Baja Aragon held in the Northern part of Spain. The Emirati rider, who will turn 39 next month had gone to the top after an outright win in the season-opening Dubai International Baja held in the first half of March.
“I feel fit and strong on the bike and I have been working very hard for the last three seasons despite some annoying injuries. For sure, there will be a lot to learn this weekend with new and tough terrain ahead, but I’m positive and focused on giving my best as always,” he related.
After the technical checks at the BudaWest airport in Veszprem, the race will kick off with a short Super Special Stage of 11.4km followed by the main stages around five hills surrounding Veszprem.
It is anticipated that the competitors will have to face extreme riding conditions. Mahir Badri, the strategist behind Al Beloushi’s international rally programme, explained. “It’s challenging to race in terrains that are so different from the ones we have in our country which is where Mohamad does most of his training,” he said. “The competition level in Europe is very high, truly fierce, with so many champions and a much older tradition in the sport, but we trust our champion and know he will give his 100 per cent to win this title for our beloved country.”
