Qatar International Baja
FIM Bajas World Cup, round 2
March 24-26, 2022
A strong north-westerly wind blew across Qatar and severely reducing visibility on the final day of the Qatar International Baja. Despite these bad weather conditions, the young Polish rider Konrad Dąbrowski (Husqvarna Duust Team) was never troubled and won comfortably by more than 10 minutes from his Emirati rival Mohammed Balooshi. It capped the youngster’s first victory!
“It was really difficult today in some places with the white sand and the strong wind, it was difficult to see and almost impossible to see the angles,” said a delighted Dąbrowski. “I enjoyed it. I was pushing today. I didn’t want the guys to catch me. I focused on the navigation and the speed was coming with it. It was a really good day. First of all, I had my first ever stage win here and then to win every stage in the rally and to win the rally, I did not expect that. I am really surprised and really happy.”
Emirati Mohammed Al-Balooshi and Briton Maki Rees-Stavros rode together for much of the final stage to finish second and third, respectively.
Al-Balooshi said: “I think second position was okay in the conditions. I congratulate Konrad on his win. I will come back next year and try to go one better. Now I must concentrate on getting results in the next races.”
Third-placed Rees-Stavros added: “With the wind it was so difficult. I caught Mohammed just before the refuel and I tried leading. Then I got a bit lost and we took it turns. Buzzing to finish on the podium. I can’t believe it. My best ever result, for sure.”
South African Michael Anderson came home in fourth overall and Briton Alex McInnes completed the top five.
The Dane Thomas Kongshøj (Husqvarna Duust) experienced some navigational difficulties and incurred several hours in time penalties, but the experience was beneficial for his first participation in a Baja.
Only one quad reached the finish due to numerous mechanical problems: the Saudi Arabian Abdulmajeed Al-Khulaifi (#102- Yamaha) won the category and the Qatari crew of Abdullah Al-Khelaifi and Abdulaziz Al-Jabri (Yamaha) won the SSV section.
2022 Qatar International Baja – Final results:
FIM – Bikes
1. Konrad Dąbrowski (POL) Husqvarna FR450 6hr 41min 53.4sec
2. Mohammed Al-Balooshi (ARE) Husqvarna FR450 6hr 52min 47.3sec
3. Maki Rees-Stavros (GBR) KTM 450 EXC-F 7hr 08min 08.6sec
4. Michael Anderson (RSA) KTM 450 EXC-F 8hr 38min 58.0sec
5. Alex McInnes (GBR) Husqvarna FE450 8hr 45min 10.6sec
6. Ahmed Al-Jaber (SAU) KTM 8hr 51min 52.7sec
7. Robert Wallace (GBR) KTM 450 Rally 8hr 52min 20.9sec
8. Sheikh Mohamed Al-Thani (QAT) Beta RR 9hr 12min 03.1sec
9. Salman Farhan (BHR) Husqvarna FE450 9hr 14min 52.4sec
10. Kurt Burroughs (GBR) KTM Rally 9hr 50min 33.7sec, etc
FIM – Quads
1. Abdulmajeed Al-Khulaifi (SAU) Yamaha 700 CC 9hr 26min 17.9sec
FIM Communications