Three Jordanian riders hope to challenge their international rivals at this weekend’s Jordan Baja, the new second round of the FIM Bajas World Cup.
Talented young rider Abdullah Abu Aisheh is seeded second behind Abu Dhabi’s Mohammed Al-Balooshi and has a great chance to give Jordan a second outright win: Ata Al-Hmoud won the first event on a Beta 390 when it was a candidate round for the FIA series in 2018.
Abu Aisheh, the national champion, trained in Dubai with Al-Balooshi before some desert races. He won the MX2 class in the Dubai Endurocross Championship and was fourth overall at last month’s Dubai International Baja.
I’m very excited to race the second round of the FIM Bajas World Cup in my home country. The terrain is fantastic and the route should be fast. Wadi Rum is one of the highly known tourist attractions in Jordan and what makes it a great setting for the Baja is the diverse and dynamic terrain.
Abdullah Abu Aisheh
It changes very quickly from sand to rocky sections to dunes. It makes the Baja a fast and technical route. What makes it even better is the breathtaking landscape, so we get to race and enjoy a great view. I will participate with my KTM Rally Replica and I’m aiming for the win. It should be a very challenging race, but I’m confident in my abilities to achieve the result I have in mind. I look forward to it!
Abdullah Abu Aisheh
Zaid Jaber and Tal’at Al-Shishane also ride KTMs for the host nation. Jaber, 21, makes his Baja debut; he started riding at five under the influence of his father Ammar.
I started riding professionally a year ago. My goal is the 2024 or 2025 Dakar. I came here for training with Mohammed Al-Balooshi. I wanted to race in the first round of the World Cup, but I dislocated my shoulder during training for the Dubai Baja. I watched the race in the Al-Qudra desert and learned a lot. I realised that the time is important, but the rules are even more important and if you don’t do any mistakes you have a big chance to win. I’m still in recovery, but was back to riding one week ago.
Zaid Jaber
Two Jordanian crews aim for the podium in the National Baja behind the main event, which has a shorter second day north of Aqaba. Haitham and Saif Al-Abbadi and Ghaith Qubti and Moath Al-Arja have entered two T2 Range Rovers against three Palestinian crews and Saudi competitors.
Women in Wadi Rum
Dania Akeel finished eighth on her rally debut at the Sharqiyah International Baja two weeks ago and makes her first appearance outside Saudi Arabia with French navigator Stéphane Duplé. Part of the new SHERO Rally Team by Duust, she drives a Can-Am Maverick X3 in FIA T3. She had hoped to race fellow Saudi Mashael Al-Obaidan, but navigator Musa Djierian confirmed on Monday that unforeseen issues had forced them to withdraw. Akeel will now face Saudi Ibrahim Bin Salamah and co-driver Adel Al-Muhaia in T3.
Two women line up against 13 men in the bikes: India’s Aishwarya Pissay and Kuwait’s Sarah Khuraibet will contest the FIM Women’s category on their Husqvarna and Yamaha. Pissay, 25, was third among women in Dubai last month and hopes to fight for the 2021 title. The Bengaluru rider was the first Indian athlete to win a world title on a motorcycle, the FIM Bajas Women’s Championship, and has six national titles across circuit racing and rallying.
I’m excited about the second round of the FIM World Baja Rally Cup. This will be my first time racing in Jordan. I’m going in with a positive mindset and hoping for a good finish without any technical difficulties.
Aishwarya Pissay
Travel restrictions have forced Argentines Orlando Terranova and Franco Caimi to withdraw. Terranova was second in Jordan in 2019 during his FIA Baja title campaign; he lists the event among his favourites and vows to return next year.
The Jordan Baja starts with a ceremonial start in Aqaba from 19.39hrs on Thursday, followed by sections of 210.72km and 112.9km on Friday and 236.06km in the deserts north of Aqaba on Saturday, March 20th.