During ANB Motorcycles’ training camp in Batroun this past weekend, we took Red Bull athlete Mohammad Al Balooshi aside to further discuss the event, his relationship with A.N.Boukather and his current and future plans.
Mohammad Al Balooshi, this is the second time we see you in Lebanon. After the launch of the new KTM Adventure, we’re seeing you here today at the KTM training camp. Tell us more about this camp and its targets.
The target is to spread awareness and change the Dirt bike concept, and of course safety. The most important thing is safety; riding safely is everything, riding right is everything, getting rid of all the bad habits, and getting used to good habits. One of our targets is to take riders off the streets and onto the racetrack; there is a new track here in Lebanon and I got to test it this morning. I believe, without the political unrest, Lebanon is the future of motocross in the region thanks in most part to the nature of Lebanese terrain. The guys here are down to earth and they learn very quickly, and I cannot teach someone who does not want to learn.
How are the riders in general?
They are good, good. There is a variety, from beginners, intermediate to advanced riders. There are several levels, and the sport will keep on promoting riders as long as it has many levels; it doesn’t stop, there is continuity. And Thank God, an opportunity presented itself with Nicolas Boukather.
What is the secret to your relationship with ANB Motorcycles? There is a constant collaboration between the two parties.
Nicolas Boukather is a person who has truly established himself in the world of Motocross. He is an ambitious person, and he loves the sport. My relationship with him is excellent. He told me that the training camp should’ve been organized earlier. However, it is never too late. Nicolas believes that we can do a fantastic job together and he trusts me as well, he trusts my ability to graduate champions from Lebanon in future regional and international competitions. He is the only active person in this field in Lebanon; you know these things cost money, and it’s a risk to invest in them. He has the vision, and I’m only one soldier in this sport. A sport doesn’t rise without people like Nicolas who are willing to invest. If I can make one rider a good rider, my job is done.
Mohammad, we did not see you in Dakar this year…
I was injured during the 2013 Dakar Rally, so we took the decision to not participate at the last moment. It’s better to participate with my full strength. We are preparing for the 2015 rally and we are optimistic. Hopefully, we’ll have a budget by then.
There are several upcoming desert rallies including the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge and Sealine Cross Country Rally in Qatar.
I am supposed to take part in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in April, and I officially registered in the championship yesterday. We are still waiting for the bike from Austria (KTM). There is a budget for Motorcross and Baja, as for the FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup, we have managed to register for the first round in Abu Dhabi. I am optimistic and I’m not going to say anything further, I want be a man of my word. If you see me, you see me.