Dubai: The UAE’s Mohammad Al Beloushi is confidently looking forward to a historic triumph as he leads the FIM Bajas world rankings.
Al Beloushi held on to his overall lead at the end of last week’s Baja Aragon held in the Northern part of Spain. The Arab motocross and cross country champion’s tenth finish fetched him six vital points that was sufficient in helping him keep his overall lead at the end of the second round of the FIM Bajas World Cup that was run over 800 kilometres.
Al Beloushi claimed his spot at the top of the standings after winning the Dubai International Baja — Round One on the inaugural FIM Bajas World Cup — in the first half of March.
“Honestly, I don’t want to really think too far ahead as I believe that a job is not done till it actually gets done. At the moment, my task is to focus and complete the goal before me. But there are several scenarios that will come into play,” Al Beloushi told Gulf News following his return from Spain.
“I need another 14 points to seal the world crown and all my energies will be spent on trying to achieve this goal so that I really don’t spend either my time or energy on the other scenarios. I’ve thought about it once, and that is enough. I don’t need to think about all this all over again,” he added.
Al Beloushi started the Baja Aragon in 38th place after a temporary early-stage setback during the prologue. However, the 38-year-old UAE champion used his vast experience to claw his way back over the next two days and finish in a remarkable tenth place in a race that was won by Michael Metge ahead of Joan Pedrosa and Adrien Metge.
“I won’t exaggerate if I said that one round of Aragon Rally is as tough as the toughest round of Dakar. And then, also in Dakar, the terrain is generally unknown to most of the competitors, while here there is a huge amount of super-experienced riders who are very familiar with the terrain as well as they train and race in the area frequently. It was an awesome experience, very challenging, and I’m pleased with my results so far,” he said.
Al Beloushi is currently on 26 points, just six clear of second-placed Michael Metge and Pedrosa in third with 17 points.
The third and final round will be the Hungarian Baja at Vezprem from August 10 to 12 and Al Beloushi knows exactly what he needs to do to keep his place at the top of the standings.
“I’ve worked 20 years to get here and I am going for it,” he said.
“It will be an all-out assault as I don’t want to think of anyone else when it comes to winning. My entire focus now is to get myself mentally prepared and be at my positive best when I leave for Hungary.”
