The Qatar International Baja, taking place from 6 to 8 November, will serve as the penultimate round of the FIM Bajas World Cup, a decisive moment in a season shortened to seven rounds after the cancellation of the Hungarian Baja. With the title races tightening across multiple categories, preparations are ramping up ahead of the Lusail-based event.
Season so far in the FIM Bajas World Cup
The championship began in February with the Hail Baja in Saudi Arabia’s northern deserts, where British rider Alex McInnes took his first win. Wet conditions marked the next round in Portugal, where Junior rider Martin Ventura triumphed over Jorge Brandao and Paulo Cardoso.
In April, Mohammed al-Balooshi of MX Ride Dubai claimed victory in the Jordan Baja, held in the iconic Wadi Rum. It was his fifth win at the event and placed the reigning champion firmly in title contention. The series then moved back to Europe, where Honda’s Tosha Schareina battled through the mud to edge out Javi Vega at Baja TT Dehesa Extremadura. Lorenzo Santolino followed with a win in scorching conditions at Baja Spain Aragón.
The series heads to Qatar with a closely contested leaderboard. Al-Balooshi leads the 450cc riders’ standings by nine points over his Lebanese team-mate Rafic Eid. Javi Vega holds third, followed by Brandao, Cardoso, and a four-way tie between Santolino, Schareina, Ventura, and McInnes. The recent death of Jorge Brandao during the W2RC event in Morocco has cast a shadow over the championship.
Competitive categories and standings
Rafic Eid currently tops the Veterans’ category, holding a six-point lead over al-Balooshi. In the Ladies’ category, Alona Ben Natan leads with 58 points, ahead of Spain’s Sara Garcia Alvarez by eight. Ecuador’s Maria Taranto trails in third, while Kuwait’s Sarah Khuraibet, Lili-may Mansuy of Kove Factory Racing, and Duust Rally Team’s Joanna Modrzewska remain within striking distance.
Among Junior riders, Polish competitor Konrad Dabrowski, who won the Qatar International Baja in both 2022 and 2023, is chasing a third title. However, he trails Spain’s Victor Manuel Moya Aguilera by 13 points and shares second in the standings with Jordan’s Abdullah Al-Batayneh, Ventura, and McInnes. Dabrowski continues to ride for the Duust Rally Team.
In the quad division, Saudi Arabia’s Hani al-Noumesi enters as the defending champion and current leader, with a 16-point margin over France’s Antoine Sanchez and Portugal’s Fernando Jorge Sampaio. Frenchman Jerome Connart and Saudis Haitham al-Tuwaijri and Abdulaziz al-Shayban are also in contention.
Event format and logistics in Qatar
Organised by the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF), the Qatar International Baja will span a total distance of 773.83km, including 453.21km of competitive stages. Administrative checks and scrutineering will be held at Lusail International Circuit starting on Tuesday, 4 November. FIA vehicles will undergo re-scrutineering on Wednesday, ahead of the competition’s start on Thursday.
Final entry lists will be published on 29 October. Riders, including those from regional teams such as MX Ride Dubai, are now finalising preparations for what promises to be a pivotal race.
The Lusail venue continues to play a central role in Qatar’s motorsport calendar, reinforcing the country’s growing profile in international events. It complements broader cultural and sporting activity across the nation, including recent initiatives such as Qatar’s celebration of the International Day of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Anticipated showdown ahead of final round
With only two rounds remaining, the Qatar International Baja carries heightened significance. The outcome is likely to define the title prospects heading into the season finale in Dubai. For al-Balooshi, a strong showing on home soil could secure his grip on the championship, while challengers like Eid, Vega, and Schareina are hoping to close the gap.
For spectators and competitors alike, the event not only showcases elite off-road racing but also reflects the deepening motorsport culture across the region, much like Dubai’s recent rise in basketball prominence.
