 |
Strenght in depth across all motorcycles classes at Qatar Baja
13.03.2023: 2023 Qatar International Baja - March 15th-18th, 2023
FIA World and Middle East Cups for Cross-Country Bajas, round 2
FIM Bajas World Cup, round 2
• Al-Balooshi brings five-point FIM Bajas World Cup lead to Qatar Baja
• 14 Veterans, four
|
2023 Qatar International Baja - March 15th-18th, 2023
FIA World and Middle East Cups for Cross-Country Bajas, round 2
FIM Bajas World Cup, round 2
• Al-Balooshi brings five-point FIM Bajas World Cup lead to Qatar Baja
• 14 Veterans, four Juniors and four Women set for FIM motorcycle tussle
• Lusail Boulevard to host ceremonial start on Thursday evening
In terms of numbers and strength in depth across the different classes, this week’s Qatar International Baja is the largest ever to be hosted by the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) since 33 bikes tackled the event back in November 2004, with victory on that occasion falling to UAE-based German rider Tim Trenker on a KTM.
This week, 51 motorcycles and four quads grace the entry list for the second round of the 2023 FIM Bajas World Cup.
MX Ride Dubai has entered four motorcycles in Qatar and the team’s lead rider Mohammed Al-Balooshi will be hoping to 
repeat his recent Saudi victory and extend his early lead in the FIM Bajas World Cup. The Emirati has mixed memories of his previous visits to Qatar for the longer Cross-Country Rally and knows full well how tricky the navigation is and how deceptive the terrain can be.
His brother Sultan is 10th in the championship standings and rides a second team bike alongside fellow Emirati Marwan Al-Rahmani and Kuwait’s Abdullah Al-Shatti. Jordan’s Abdullah Abu Aisheh is not present on this occasion.
Qatar-based Australian Martin Chalmers is seeded at two after finishing second to Al-Balooshi in Saudi Arabia, while Briton Alex McInnes is third in the points’ standings after round one and starts at three.
Talented Polish rider Konrad Dabrowski claimed overall victory in last year’s Qatar International Baja and this year’s fourth seed is also the pre-event favourite to win the FIM Juniors’ class for riders under 25-years-old on January 1st, 2023. He comes into the weekend as both the defending FIM Bajas World Cup and Junior Champion.
Konrad’s closest Junior rival may well be McInnes, who leads the Junior section on his Motozone Husqvarna after finishing second in the championship last season. Canadian Jonathan Finn and Italy’s Alessandro Iacovelli will also be chasing points in Juniors.
The experienced KTM rider Mirjam Pol is the defending FIM Women’s World Champion and leads three rivals into a tussle for honours in Qatar. The Dutch girl lines up against last year’s runner-up, Poland’s Joanna Modrzewska, Kuwait’s Sarah Khuraibet and Great Britain’s Vanessa Ruck, the latter riding a Honda CRF 450 RX.
Fourteen riders are eligible to score points in the FIM Veterans category for over 45s. Australia’s Andrew Houlihan leads the class after his useful ninth-place finish in Saudi Arabia but competition will be intense in the Qatar deserts.
The Husqvarna rider faces a six-strong Italian challenge from Cesare Zacchetti, Francesco Catanese, Fabrizio Macchitella, Alberto Bertoldi, Elio Aglioni and Enrico Tanganelli, while Britain’s Barry Howe also holds European hopes of success alongside Norway’s Ola Floene.
The Qatari trio of Sheikh Mohammed Al-Thani, Mahanna Rashid Al-Naimi and Mohammed Al-Kaabi, South Africa’s Jaco Anderson and Emirati rider Mohammed Al-Shamsi round off the runners eligible for the Veterans’ category.
The competitive action gets underway with a Prologue stage on Thursday from 14.15hrs onwards. This precedes the ceremonial start at a new location on Lusail Boulevard, starting with the motorcycles and quads from 19.30hrs.
2023 Qatar International Baja – leading entries:
FIM – Bikes (top 10)
1. Mohammed Al-Balooshi (ARE) KTM 450 Rally Replica
2. Martin Chalmers (AUS) Beta 430 RR
3. Alex McInnes (GBR) Husqvarna FE450
4. Konrad Dabrowski (POL) KTM 450 Rally
5. Jonathan Finn (CAN) Honda CRF 450 RL
6. Mishal Al-Ghuneim (SAU) KTM 450 Rally
7. Hamdan Al-Ali (ARE) KTM 450
8. Brett Hunt (GBR) Husqvarna FE450
9. Andrew Houlihan (AUS) Husqvarna FR
10. Sultan Al-Balooshi (ARE) TBA
FIM - Juniors
3. Alex McInnes (GBR) Husqvarna FE450
4. Konrad Dabrowski (POL) KTM 450 Rally
5. Jonathan Finn (CAN) Honda CRF 450 RL
49. Alessandro Iacovelli (ITA) Husaberg 350 FE
FIM - Women
28. Mirjam Pol (NLD) KTM
30. Joanna Modrzewska (POL) KTM 450 Rally
31. Sarah Khuraibet (KWT) Husqvarna FE 450
41. Vanessa Ruck (GBR) Honda CRF 450 RX
FIM - Veterans
9. Andrew Houlihan (AUS) Husqvarna FR
13. Barry Howe (GBR) Husqvarna 450 FE
18. Cesare Zacchetti (ITA) KTM EXC 350F
22. Sheikh Mohammed Al-Thani (QAT) GasGas Rally Replica
23. Mohammed Al-Kaabi (QAT) KTM 450 Rally Replica
24. Jaco Anderson (ZAF) KTM 450 EXC
26. Mahanna Rashid Al-Naimi (QAT) Honda CRF 450 X
32. Ola Floene (NOR) KTM 450 Rally
33. Francesco Catanese (ITA) KTM 450 Rally
36. Fabrizio Machitella (ITA) KTM 450 EXC-F
37. Alberto Bertoldi (ITA) KTM 450 Rally Replica
38. Elio Aglioni (ITA) KTM 450 Rally Replica
39. Enrico Tanganelli (ITA) Husqvarna 450 Rally Replica
43. Mohammed Al-Shamsi (ARE) KTM 450 XC
FIM Bajas World Cup – standings after round 1:
1. Mohammed Al-Balooshi (ARE) 25pts
2. Martin Chalmers (AUS) 20pts
3. Alex McInnes (GBR) 16pts
4. Jonathan Finn (CAN) 13pts
5. Mishal Al-Ghuneim (SAU) 11pts
6. Abdullah Abu Aisheh (JOR) 10pts
7. Hamdan Al-Ali (ARE) 9pts
8. Brett Hunt (GBR) 8pts
9. Andrew Houlihan (AUS) 7pts
10. Sultan Al-Balooshi (ARE) 6pts, etc
Neil Perkins, photos QMMF
Permanent-URL:
|
Podium double in the desert for Veloce Racing
12.03.2023
|
| Taylor and Hansen star in Saudi Extreme E season openerVeloce Racing celebrated its best ever Extreme E weekend as the British squad took a phenomenal victory and second place finish from the Desert X Prix doubleheader in NEOM, Saudi Arabia (11-12 March more >> |
Desert X Prix grand final results and Championship standings
12.03.2023
|
|
Grand Final:1. ACCIONA SAINZ XE Team 11:10.8212. Veloce Racing +5.5273. Rosberg X Racing +7.4294. ABT CUPRA XE +7.9875. No.99 GMC HUMMER EV Chip Ganassi Racing +22.321Redemption Race: more >> |
2023 Qatar International Baja leading entries
12.03.2023
|
| 2023 Qatar International Baja - March 15th-18th, 2023 FIA World and Middle East Cups for Cross-Country Bajas, round 2FIM Bajas World Cup, round 2 FIA – T1+ and T1200. Nasser Saleh Al-At more >> |
Record quality entry received for Qatar International Baja
12.03.2023
|
| 2023 Qatar International Baja - March 15th-18th, 2023 FIA World and Middle East Cups for Cross-Country Bajas, round 2FIM Bajas World Cup, round 2 • FIA World Cup leaders Al-Attiyah, Yacopini and Holowczyc lead cars • Al-Balooshi, Chalmers and McInnes top bumper motorcycle field more >> |
ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team claim long-awaited first victory at Desert X Prix Round 2
12.03.2023
|
| ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team secured their first ever win in Extreme E with a dominant run in the Grand Final, finishing ahead of Round 1 winners Veloce Racing in second and Rosberg X Racing in third on the sands of NEOM, Saudi Arabia.Laia Sanz (ESP) / Mattias more >> |
Desert X Race 2 Qualifying full results
12.03.2023
|
| Qualifying 1 Results:Heat 1:1. Veloce Racing 11:25.0612. X44 Vida Carbon Racing +2.7773. Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E +3.0704. ABT CUPRA XE +1:09.044 (PENALISED)5. Carl Cox Motorsport DNF more >> |
Veloce Racing and Rosberg X Racing win Q1 Heats in Desert X Prix Round 2
12.03.2023
|
| Veloce Racing and Rosberg X Racing (RXR) secured a strong start to Round 2 in NEOM, Saudi Arabia, with wins in their respective Qualifying 1 HeatsKatie Munnings (GBR) / Timmy Hansen (SWE), Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E, leads Cristina Gutierrez (ESP) more >> |
Veloce Racing score sensational Extreme E victory in Saudi Arabia
11.03.2023
|
| British squad enjoys memorable maiden Extreme E successVeloce Racing sensationally won the opening round of the new Extreme E season in NEOM, Saudi Arabia, earlier today as the British squad claimed a first ever triumph in the all-electric off-r more >> |
Desert X Prix Grand Final race 1 result and Championship standings
11.03.2023
|
|
Grand Final:1. Veloce Racing 11:56.2912. ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team +16.7093. Rosberg X Racing +2:08.041 (PENALISED)4. X44 Vida Carbon Racing DNF5. No.99 GMC HUMMER EV Chip Ganassi Racing DNF more >> |
Veloce Racing takes maiden victory in Desert X Prix Round 1 - update
11.03.2023
|
|
Molly Taylor (AUS) / Kevin Hansen (SWE), Veloce Racing during the Desert X-Prix on March 10, 2023. (Photo by Sam Bagnall / LAT Images)Veloce Racing secured their first ever victory in Extreme E following a penalty for on course w more >> |
X44 Vida Carbon Racing and GMC HUMMER EV Chip Ganassi Racing win Q1 Desert X Heats - full results
11.03.2023
|
| Defending champions X44 Vida Carbon Racing and Season 2 title contenders GMC HUMMER EV Chip Ganassi Racing secured the perfect start to their Season 3 campaign with wins in their respective Qualifying 1 Heats.Despite both outfits fielding a debutant they secured the top spots in a dramatic Q1, which saw a roll for Andretti ALTAWKILAT Extreme E&rsqu more >> |
Veloce Racing quickest in Free Practice as Season 3 gets underway in NEOM
11.03.2023
|
|
Molly Taylor (AUS) / Kevin Hansen (SWE), Veloce Racing during the Desert X-Prix on March 10, 2023. Extreme E returned to action today for the first round of Season 3 in spectacular style. The championship’s ten teams got back behind more >> |
Continental reveal more robust and sustainable CrossContact tyre for Season 3
09.03.2023
|
| Extreme E Founding Partner, Continental, will once again supply a new version of the CrossContact Extreme E tyre for the new season of the pioneering series. The 2023 campaign begins on 11-12 March in NEOM, Saudi Arabia, and in the development of the new tyre Continental placed an emphasis on using an even higher proportion of sustainable mat more >> |
Extreme E reveals shoreline spectacular for Season 3 opener
09.03.2023
|
| Extreme E has revealed its first course of Season 3 for the Desert X Prix in NEOM, Saudi Arabia.The pioneering series’ opening round of the 2023 campaign will take place on the shores of the Red Sea, offering a new test for our 10 teams and 20 w more >> |
Red-Lined unveils Rally Raid supercar
09.03.2023
|
| All-new Red-Lined REVO T1+ is the ultimate privateer weaponDakar 2023 FIA T1 Class winners, Red-Lined Motorsport has launched its all new REVO T1+ rally raid supercar. The Kyalami, South Africa based race car manufacturer bills its new flagship more >> |
Veloce Racing and E.ON partnership progresses into 2023
08.03.2023
|
| Continued collaboration signals successful union driven by sustainability and engineeringVeloce Racing is delighted to announce that E.ON will remain with the squad for the duration of Extreme E's third season this year.The British team and the UK’ more >> |
Teams and drivers in 2023 Desert X Prix
08.03.2023
|
|
The 10 teams and 20 drivers for the 2023 Desert X Prix are as follows:ABT CUPRA XE – Nasser Al-Attiyah / Klara AnderssonACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team – Mattias Ekström / Laia Sanz more >> |
Excitement builds for closest Extreme E season yet
08.03.2023
|
| • New racing format for Season 3 brings double the action with zero additional carbon footprint impact• Lewis Hamilton's X44 Vida Carbon Racing set out to defend their Season 2 title with Fraser McConnell and Cristina Gutiérrez• Legendary DJ Carl Cox and eponymous team a more >> |
Carl Cox Motorsport signs Timo Scheider and Christine GZ for Extreme E Season 3
08.03.2023
|
| Legendary DJ Carl Cox’s team, Carl Cox Motorsport, welcomes Timo Scheider and Christine Giampaoli Zonca, known as Christine GZ, into his team’s first Extreme E campaign for Season 3 – offering an experienced line-up ahead of his outfit’s first year in the championship. more >> |
RJ Anderson and Amanda Sorensen complete new look No. 99 GMC HUMMER EV line-up for Extreme E Season 3
08.03.2023
|
| No. 99 GMC HUMMER EV have announced an all-new American driver line-up, with RJ Anderson and Amanda Sorensen completing the team's pairing for Extreme E Season 3.No. 99 GMC HUMMER EV took their first victory last term en route to four more >> |
Sir Lewis Hamilton’s championship-winning X44 Vida Carbon Racing announces new team direction for Extreme E Season 3
07.03.2023
|
|
X44 Vida Carbon Racing, the Extreme E team founded by seven-time Formula 1™ World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton, has today announced its Season 3 line-up.As a Black-owned team, X44 Vida Carbon Racing recognises that motorsport has traditionally more >> |
Eventful Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge for Dania Akeel
06.03.2023
|
| Off-road season continues for female Saudi Arabian racerDriving a T3 vehicle prepared by South Racing, Akeel teamed up with German female co-driver Taye Perry on this occasion and had set some impressive stage times over four gruelling desert selective more >> |
Extreme E announces Andreas Bakkerud and Tamara Molinaro as 2023 Championship Drivers
06.03.2023
|
|
Extreme E, the innovative electric off-road racing series, has announced rallycross ace Andreas Bakkerud and previous Extreme E podium finisher Tamara Molinaro, as its Championship Drivers for the 2023 season, which kicks off this weekend (11-12 March) at the Desert X Prix in more >> |
Extreme E's Scientific Committee commits for Season 3
04.03.2023
|
|
Environmentally conscious off-road championship Extreme E has today confirmed that it will continue to work with its esteemed Scientific Committee during 2023. The distinguished team of academics – each with their own area of expe more >> |
Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge: Convincing performance of the MINI JCW Rally Plus
03.03.2023
|
| • Halpern secures fourth place• Joao Ferreira takes tenth in the X-raid YXZ1000R Turbo PrototypeSand and dunes were the main ingredients of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, the second event of the FI more >> |
Red Bull Desert Wings propelled into World Championship pole position after mastering the sands of Abu Dhabi
03.03.2023
|
| A roller coaster of a race at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge has wrapped up after 1,311 kilometres over the dunes. There was plenty of pulsating action across all categories of the World Rally-Raid Championship during all five desert stages. Let’s take a look at who’s celebrating in Abu Dhabi City tonight… more >> |
Adrien Van Beveren takes the Gold in Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge
03.03.2023
|
| Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2023 2023 World Rally Raid Championship Round WORLD2 Frenchman Adrien Van Beveren is the winner of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, after the concl more >> |
Hero MotoSports Team Rally completes Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge with a top 5 result
03.03.2023
|
| ROSS BRANCH FINISHES IN THE 5TH POSITIONHero MotoSports Team Rally, the motorsport team of the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters - Hero MotoCorp, concluded their campaign at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2023 (ADDC) with a remarkable top-5 result. more >> |
Red Bull-backed Can-Am Team's Seth Quintero and Rokas Baciuska secure T3 and T4 wins at Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge
03.03.2023
|
| Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge – February 26th-March 3rd, 2023 2023 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship, round 2 Friday, March 3rd, 2023• Dakar Rally more >> |
Aliyyah Koloc takes her best-ever cross-country result with Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge podium
03.03.2023
|
| Dubai-born teenager Aliyyah Koloc recorded the best cross-country result of her career, finishing third among the registered FIA World Rally-Raid Championship runners in the T3 category – on the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, round two of the W2RC season. more >> |
Overdrive Racing's Al-Rajhi and Gottschalk seal maiden Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge victory
03.03.2023
|
| Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge2023 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship, round 2February 26th-March 3rd, 2023• Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah crashes out of rally lead on third stageOverdrive Racing more >> |
Toby Price takes FIM World Rally-Raid Championship lead with third in Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge
03.03.2023
|
| Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2023 – Stage 5Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Toby Price has delivered an outstanding ride on the fifth and final day of the 2023 Abu Dhabi Desert more >> |
Formula One winner Heikki Kovalainen joins JBXE to partner Hedda Hosas for Extreme E Season 3
03.03.2023
|
|
Former Formula One winner Heikki Kovalainen has signed for JBXE to drive alongside Hedda Hosås for Extreme E Season 3.After finishing third in Season 1, Jenson Button’s outfit dropped to ninth in the standings last term – more >> |
Loeb extends lead in world title race as Al Rajhi claims first Desert Challenge win for Saudi
03.03.2023
|
| Frenchman puts Bahrain Raid Xtreme firmly in pole position in World Rally-Raid ChampionshipSebastien Loeb extended his lead in the World Rally-Raid Championship today as Yazeed Al Rajhi became the more >> |
One day to go with two riders in the top 3
02.03.2023
|
| Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2023 2023 World Rally Raid Championship Round WORLD2 The second stop of this year’s World Rally Raid Championship is coming to an end, with only one more day to race in the Abu Dhabi Desert Chal more >> |
Hero MotoSports Team Rally registers second stage podium at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2023
02.03.2023
|
| ROSS BRANCH FINISHES AT THIRD PLACE IN STAGE 4Hero MotoSports Team Rally, the motorsport team of the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters - Hero MotoCorp, bagged their second podium of the week at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challen more >> |
Tough day for Toby Price at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge
02.03.2023
|
| Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2023 – Stage 4Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Toby Price endured a challenging day in the desert today, opening the long, 308-kilometer timed special on stage four of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. However, despite battling through a difficult day, he remained focused and gave his all to secure a solid more >> |
Loeb scores big Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge stage win to boost world title assault
02.03.2023
|
| Frenchman aims to stretch Bahrain Raid Xtreme’s championship lead on final daySebastien Loeb recorded an emphatic stage victory for Bahrain Raid Xtreme in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge today to reinforce his title bid in the World Rally-Raid Championsh more >> |
The sands show no mercy at Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge as top ranked rally-raid contenders fall into difficulty
01.03.2023
|
|
With three stages down at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge and two days of racing remaining, there’s drama in the dunes and in the bivouac. Stage Three brought another huge twist to the heavyweight car contest between Nasser Al-Attiyah and Sébastien more >> |
