Balooshi first Emirati to claim Bajas World title

Veszprém - The last day at Hungarian Baja started with rain and changing terrain

Mohammed Al Balooshi clinched the Bajas World Title, the first-ever FIM world championship for an Emirati, on Saturday in Hungary after clinching the sixth place that swelled his total point tally to 33.
Balooshi started the race in Hungary as the leader with 23 points, holding a narrow three-point lead over Michael Metage.
Balooshi who became the first Arab to win a world title the motorcycle off road series said: "I am very happy to have been able to put this medal to the achievements of the UAE." 
"Our country has come a long way in motorsport and it's an honour to be able to make this humble contribution, and a motive of great pride to have my name next to the UAE flag, engraved forever in the FIM records," he enthused.
"I hope to also represent the Arab world and do justice to so many great athletes who work hard, and keep pushing their limits, always following their passion. I'm struggling with words right now to describe how proud and happy I feel for me and my team, for my country, for the sport."
The weekend was filled with drama at Veszprén, the picturesque city hosting the last round of the World Cup in Hungary, which constitutes at the same time one of the oldest urban areas of the region. Heavy rain over the past week ravaged the rally terrain, resulting on many areas of the planned route of the race becoming completely inaccessible and a serious threat to the competitors.
Mahir Badri, managing director at Sports2, said: "It took us years working as a team, we faced a lot of challenges, and struggled a lot to reach to this point. This achievement is the result of very hard work, a lot of talent, and a strong believe."
The last day at Hungarian Baja started with rain and changing terrain moving from slippery to dry and rocky areas, back to thicker, sticky and deeper mud.
Balooshi also had to battle with mechanical problems, struggling with his KTM's petrol pump all day, which continued failing when getting in touch with water.
These difficulties costed him in the end a penalty which threatened with setting him back in the results, but luckily the advantage accumulated earlier in the race and in season, allowed him to sustain his position and emerge as the new King of Bajas.