The second round of the FIM Bajas World Cup took place this weekend in Jordan through the beautiful Wadi Rum desert. Competitors covered a total of 859.37km, including 559.53km over three selective sections.
Unsurprisingly, Mohammed Al-Balooshi (Husqvarna) won both legs, followed by his ‘pupil’, the Jordanian rider Abdullah Abu Aisheh (KTM), and the Saudi rider Abdulhalim Al-Mogheera.
“This year the Jordan Baja was much more difficult than it was two years ago,” said Al-Balooshi, who repeated his feat and won the event for a second time. “Yesterday, I had a little trouble navigating because I’m no longer used to riding without the arrows. I’m a little rusty. I’m also tired today. I guess I am still recovering from January’s Covid.
“Today, I rode with Abdullah (Abu Aisheh), but I took it easy most of the time. I’m happy that I won but if Abdullah hadn’t had an eight-minute penalty yesterday it would have been more difficult for me. I would have needed to attack more.
“That said, I also received three minutes of penalties yesterday for taking the start late and, if he had won, I would have been very proud of him because I am his coach and that would have meant that I had done a good job.”
Despite hefty penalties from arriving late at the start on the first day (eight minutes) and then missing a waypoint today (15 minutes), Abdullah Abu Aisheh finished second in his master’s tyre tracks.
“It was a difficult special stage, only stones and gravel, no dunes or sand, only four kilometres from the start of the special,” said Abu Aisheh. “Mohammed and I rode together. I didn’t crash and I finished second behind my trainer. It’s fantastic! I took an eight-minute penalty yesterday for being late for the selective section, but I’m learning.”
Abdulhalim Al-Mogheera (KTM) completed the podium from Amit Sadot (KTM) in fourth and fifth-placed Paulo Olivera (Husqvarna) who won the veteran’s section.
Zaid Jaber (Husqvarna) missed the start this morning after injuring his back on Friday.
In the quad category, the victory fell to Faisal Al-Suwayh (Yamaha). Haitham Al-Tuwayjri was forced to retire on day one with mechanical issues and fellow Saudi Hani Al-Noumesi (Yamaha) was not classified in the results by race officials today.
FIM Motorcycles – final results
1. Mohammed Al-Balooshi (ARE) Husqvarna 450 9hr 47min 02sec
2. Abdullah Abu Aisheh (JOR) KTM 450 Rally Replica @18min 47sec
3. Abdulahim Al-Mogheera (SAU) KTM EXC F450. @1hr 30min 44sec
4. Amit Sadot (ISR) KTM @2hr 09min 43sec
5. Paulo Olivera (MOZ) Husqvarna 450 @2hr 49min 06sec
6. Salman Farhan (BRN) Husqvarna FE450 @21hr 27min 58sec
7. Rotem Costa (ISR) KTM FR Rally Replica @31hr 44min 04sec
FIM Quads – final results
- Faisal Al-Suwayh (SAU) Yamaha YFZ 450R 45hr 00min 00sec
FIM Communications